Blog
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.
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...
Eradicating Forced Labor, Modern Slavery, and Human Trafficking
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been persistently plagued by numerous socio-economic challenges. Forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking are all prominent in the country. Recently, the DRC has taken steps forward, signaling its intent to address...
Get Involved
Omicron Variant Postpones Annual Freedom from Slavery Forum
Due to the sharp rise in cases and uncertainty associated with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, Free the Slaves is announcing the postponement of the global Freedom from Slavery Forum in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Forum, scheduled for December 5-8, would have...
Understanding the Modern Slavery Landscape of the Middle East and North Africa
Women, children, migrants, refugees, and other minorities are especially vulnerable to human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This vulnerability is magnified by a wide range of factors, including economic instability, conflict, climate...
Fair Food: Who Picked Your Produce?
Editor’s Note: This guest blog from a Free the Slaves advocacy partner in the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking highlights how a key program to fight modern slavery in American agriculture has moved from a theory of change to a proven solution. The Coalition of...
Our Work
Raising Awareness in Schools
“One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai. Children are like clay. We can mold them into any shape and form just by our actions or our words. If we take the time to educate children, FTS and our partners believe that many...
Inaugural Elkes Impact Award Winners Announced
The Elkes Impact Awards were established in recognition of the tremendous work local advocate survivors and civil society organizations are doing in their communities. Local survivors and organizations too often do not receive widespread acknowledgment of their work,...
2021 Regional Forums Initiative Concludes
It’s been a busy past three months! The Freedom from Slavery Forum held three regional events focusing on Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and the combined regions of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. This concluded the series of 2021 regional...
News
Can You Envision a World Free from Slavery?
This has been a challenging year, but we know that 2021 holds the promise of renewal. While the COVID-19 pandemic has made racial inequality and modern slavery worse, the recovery will provide an opportunity for a global reset. We do not need to repeat the inequities...
Masks and Food Arrive in the Dominican Republic in Time for Christmas
Great news! Your generous contributions to our “Everyone Deserves a Mask” campaign earlier this year helped us deliver vital COVID-19 personal protective equipment and nutrition parcels in the Dominican Republic, just in time for Christmas. Our Dominican Republic...
Why We Have Hope
I have hope as we approach the year-end holidays, and I hope that you do, too. With the many challenges we face in promoting equality and universal freedom in the world today, what brings me hope is the optimism I hear from slavery survivors and their families around...
Americas
The Enslaved Need Your Help on #GivingTuesdayNow
Your generosity has changed lives around the world. The programs you support at Free the Slaves help people learn new skills and start microenterprises that build financial resiliency. Your contributions mean that slavery survivors are less likely to be re-enslaved,...
COVID-19 Impact on Communities Plagued by Slavery
I hope that you and your family are healthy and safe during these difficult times. I am reaching out to you today to share about how the Covid-19 global pandemic is affecting communities where slavery makes people especially vulnerable to disasters and financial...
Global Freedom One Community at a Time
Dear Friends and Supporters, I write this letter as I shelter in place amidst the spreading of the coronavirus pandemic. The close tethering to our homes underscores the importance of communities even in today’s hyperconnected world. Likewise, eliminating slavery...
Asia
I still have hope in my 50’s
Last year Free The Slaves joined HopeBox, an NGO based in Vietnam, to serve survivors of domestic abuse and slavery. While working in the city of Hanoi, Free The Slaves and Hope Box had the privilege of meeting Tina*. This is Tina’s story of overcoming fear and...
FTS Executive Director Expresses Support for Panagtapok 2022
There is power in the collaboration and action of dedicated leaders to address societal issues. This was clearly achieved when more than 200 leaders from the Philippines gathered together in the Panagtapok 2022 (which translates to 'a gathering' in English). The event...
The Dreams of Nina: Surviving Forced Marriage and Labour Trafficking
In Vietnam, it’s estimated that there are 421,000 people living in modern slavery. Nearly 70% of modern slavery victims in Vietnam are women and girls who work in forced prostitution or domestic servitude through fraudulent job opportunities or brokered marriage. To...
Africa
Children Free from Slavery in Ghana
Twenty victims of human trafficking finally got to taste freedom in the remote regions of Ghana. Free the Slaves, and our partners in Ghana removed them from modern slavery in the districts of Pru East, Sene East, Krachi West, and East Gonja, located in the country’s...
Celebrating Freedom – 19 Human Trafficking Survivors Returned to Their Families in Nigeria.
A collaborative effort between multiple organizations and the governments of Senegal and Nigeria results in 19 women and children returning to their families in Nigeria.
The Journey Home: 16 Survivors Repatriated to Nigeria
Free the Slaves and our implementing partner, La Lumiere, successfully reintegrated 16 survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation back to Nigeria. The successful return of these survivors to their homes is the first repatriation as part of the Program to Address...