Blog
Celebrating the Launch of the Survivors Network Kenya: A Milestone in Survivor Leadership
The launch of the Survivors Network Kenya (SNK) marks a significant milestone in survivor-led advocacy against human trafficking. Supported by Free the Slaves, SNK is the first survivor network officially recognized by the Kenyan government, empowering survivors to lead in policy engagement and systemic change across Kenya.
Harnessing Collective Power: Reflections from the Survivor Alliance World Congress
At the Survivor Alliance World Congress in Nairobi, survivor leaders and allies came together to amplify the power of collective action against human trafficking. Read how Free the Slaves is deepening its commitment to survivor-led change and building stronger, global partnerships.
Community Safe Migration & Migrant Worker Protection Webinar
In September 2024, Free the Slaves and Verité hosted a webinar to share findings and lessons from the 19-month Fostering Fee Accountability and Cost Tracking (FFACT) Project, which tackled the complex issue of unsafe migration in South Asia. This event brought together 38 participants from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to discuss solutions to safeguard migrant workers. The webinar also marked the first steps towards establishing a regional network for international migrants, set to launch in early 2025.
Get Involved
Survivors and Organizations Engaging Together Against Human Trafficking
Last year, Free the Slaves (FTS) and Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART) initiated a research project on survivor engagement in Eastern and Central Africa. Moving from the consideration that the engagement of survivors in the anti-trafficking movement still...
Survivor Advocacy Training in Democratic Republic of Congo
Bukeni Waruzi, Executive Director of Free the Slaves, recently conducted a critical training session with survivors of forced labor, modern slavery, sex trafficking, and child labor in Kinshasa, the national capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The...
Free the Slaves Joins Discussion on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Rights
Immigrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are vital to the Philippine economy. It’s estimated of the 109 million people residing in the Philippines, 1.77 million Filipinos are OFWs. Despite their important role in the Philippine economy, many of these seasonal...
Our Work
From Illegal Migration to Human Trafficking: Dangerous Journeys Across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
There is an urgent need to address the multiple conditions that lie behind migration from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf Monarchies. The journey from the Horn of Africa through Yemen and onwards to the Gulf monarchies accounts for 40% of all migratory movements...
Human Trafficking and Climate Change: Understanding Intersections and Strengthening Responses in the Philippines
It is increasingly recognized that climate
change also contributes to (and is contributed by) human trafficking.
Between Neglect and Exploitation: Modern Slavery in Peru
A recent study on modern slavery in Peru conducted by Free the Slaves and ONOTZI in the Peruvian Amazon’s regions of Ucayali and Huánuco uncovers the harsh realities of four Indigenous communities.
News
A Year of Crisis and Innovation
It has been one year since the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 is a global pandemic. The worldwide health and economic crises have made modern slavery worse. As livelihoods have been disrupted, people have taken loans that will trap them in debt...
Three New Staffers Join Expanding FTS Staff
FTS is happy to announce that three new staffers have joined the global staff today, expanding our reach and impact. "I am excited to welcome our talented three new colleagues that join our FTS family," said FTS Executive Director Bukeni Waruzi. "As part of our global...
Free the Slaves Training Toolkit Goes Virtual in India
The Free the Slaves Community Liberation Toolkit is a key capacity-building tool to catalyse a civil society movement against slavery. Designed to train frontline field staff in anti-slavery strategies and integrate anti-slavery activities into the work of high-impact...
Americas
Dominican Republic Coalition Joins Court Case against Child Marriage
Free the Slaves and Participación Ciudadana filed a friend of the court brief this week in the Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court to get child marriage declared an unconstitutional practice that harms girls and permanently affects their rights. The brief, filed...
Everyone Deserves a Mask
As the country director for Free the Slaves in the Dominican Republic, I work in tandem with local partners against the conditions that perpetuate exploitation and trafficking in vulnerable communities. Many of the people we work directly with are undocumented Haitian...
Slavery Survivors Help Haiti’s COVID-19 Response
I’d like to share some important and inspiring news from our program in Haiti. There’s a deep sense of community spirit among Haiti’s slavery survivors. That’s why the Adult Survivor Network has stepped forward to be part of the country’s response to the COVID-19...
Asia
The FFACT Project’s Role in Transforming Migrant Worker Recruitment
In an effort to address the challenges faced by migrant workers, Free the Slaves, in collaboration with Verité, has initiated the Fostering Fee Accountability and Cost Tracking (FFACT) project. Spanning from 2022 to 2024, this initiative aims to bring greater...
The Inspiring Journey of Meena
Meena, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), lives in a peaceful rural village near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The Hindi word "ASHA" means "hope," making it the perfect title for an individual whose dedication to the well-being of her community extends far...
Human Trafficking and Climate Change: Understanding Intersections and Strengthening Responses in the Philippines
It is increasingly recognized that climate
change also contributes to (and is contributed by) human trafficking.
Africa
Survivor-Led Training and Awareness Events in the DRC
These events underscore the importance of a united and inclusive approach to combating modern slavery. By involving survivors directly in leadership roles and using innovative methods to raise awareness, Free the Slaves is demonstrating a comprehensive strategy to tackle this global issue.
Survivor-Led Radio Shows in Nairobi Illuminate Human Trafficking Realities
These survivor-led radio shows not only educated the public but also empowered survivors to share their stories and advocate for change. The discussions reached a wide audience, raising awareness and encouraging collective action against human trafficking.
Empowering Survivors in Nigeria – A Journey of Resilience and Advocacy
The monitoring trip to Nigeria was a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of survivors. It highlighted the importance of continuous support, accurate data reporting, and empowering survivors to advocate for themselves and their communities.