A report by the Walk Free foundation states that about 50 million individuals were victims of modern slavery globally in 2021, comprising 27.6 million forced laborers and 22 million forced marriages.
With 11 million victims of contemporary slavery, India is one of the nations most impacted, and as such, it is a major target of international efforts to end slavery.
India Has 11 Million Victims of Contemporary Slavery
Women and girls make up 54% of victims of contemporary slavery and over 12 million children, making them disproportionately vulnerable populations along with migrants.
Compared to non-migrant workers, migrant workers are three times more likely to be subjected to forced labor.
All countries are victims of modern slavery; over half of forced labor instances and 25% of forced marriages take place in high- or upper-middle-income nations.
The number of individuals in modern slavery has increased by 10 million since 2016. This growth has been caused by a multitude of factors, including environmental destruction, conflict, the erosion of democracy, and the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Global Slavery Index monitors the presence, causes, and responses of governments to contemporary slavery in 160 countries.
Contemporary Slavery Most Common in These 10 Countries
The 10 nations where contemporary slavery is most common are North Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Afghanistan, Kuwait
Political instability, violence, authoritarianism, and a lack of adequate protection for human rights and civil freedoms are common problems among these nations.
The kafala system, which limits migrant workers’ labor rights, exposes them to systematic abuse in countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Conflict, as seen in North Korea, Eritrea, and Afghanistan, raises the likelihood of forced labor and forced marriage due to instability and decreased legal protections.
Corporations have faced accountability for forced labor in countries like Eritrea, with judicial actions highlighting the role of businesses in sustaining exploitation.
Despite the fact that slavery was abolished in Mauritania in 1981, the country still has a significant prevalence of hereditary slavery that affects groups like the Afro-Mauritanians and the Haratine, and anti-slavery laws are not strictly enforced.
A large portion of the worldwide total is also contributed by other populous nations including China, Pakistan, and Russia, many of whom are G20 members.
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