About Slavery
Two of the most prevalent types of exploitation reported were sexual exploitation, which accounted for 35% of potential victims, followed by labor exploitation (23%)
There are times when people hesitate to take that step and bring an end to slavery, but this problem is tremendously destructive and very difficult to stop. It is urgent that we step up and make a change as this problem not only neglects the Declaration of Human Rights, but it is also not fair. In the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is stated that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights (Source). Does it seem like slaves are free? Does it appear to you that they have an equal amount of dignity as you when they are normally locked up and taken away from the rest of civilization? Furthermore, slavery breaches the fourth article in Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This article specifically states that no one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms (Source). It is quite clear how the issue of slavery does not follow this article. Although I can draw personal connections to this global issue as my ancestors were slaves, you may not. You can still compare yourself to the living standard of those who are held in slavery. Will you be able to feel like you are poor after a comparison?
To answer that question, perhaps you should imagine yourselves in their shoes. You have the money to live in a normal home, with people to take care of you. However, there are people that are the same age as you that can not even access proper food without paying a price; most would even have to beg to receive bread and water. These people are like you, yet so different. They do not receive money, do not have proper health care, nor do they live in peace. They have to endure months of threats and abuse everyday of their lives. Slavery is a serious issue, one that does not follow many rules, yet people still do not fully acknowledge it.
The consequences of slavery are quite immense and disastrous; all aspects of slavery negatively affects the Quality of Life of the countries in which this problem is mainly found. To elaborate, children who are doomed as slaves usually are not allowed to study or learn, some might only be able to study under the jurisdiction of their ‘owners’. For example, in Zimbabwe the literacy rate is 87.3% (Source) which is low compared to other countries such as the United States of America where the literacy rate is 99% (Source). The female literacy rate in Zimbabwe is seven percent lower than the male literacy rate (Source). Due to this fact, I can infer that there are more female slaves in this country in comparison to the amount of males slaves. Moreover, slavery also affects the living standard of a country. Slaves and their families receive little to no income, therefore, any necessities for survival are typically handed to slaves by their ‘owners’. To illustrate this effect, we can look to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the gross domestic product (GDP) purchasing power parity is a measly 29.39 billion dollars (Source), allowing the democratic republic to hold the place of 115th in a comparison to the world. Slavery has woven itself in the history of nearly all the countries in our world. Yet, Anti-Slavery International is the only non-governmental organization (NGO) in all of the United Kingdom that focusses on the devastating issue.
Some 71% of the potential victims were adults, 24% were children.
Disclaimer: This is not the official NGO website. Please click here to view official website.