I hope this email finds you well. Next month, the United Nations will be convening for the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This comes at a time when human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime worldwide, with over 50 million people estimated to be in situations of modern slavery around the world.
Modern slavery is a highly gendered issue. Globally, women and girls face reduced access to quality education, decent work, and financial independence, creating heightened vulnerabilities to trafficking, forced labor, and other forms of modern slavery. Women and girls make up 71% of those trapped in modern slavery globally, constituting 99% of forced sexual exploitation, 58% of forced labor, and 84% of all victims of forced marriage. Additionally, women and girls who are survivors are also more likely to face sexual violence in addition to physical violence, economic exploitation, and revictimization.
Despite the widespread nature of modern slavery, the efforts of the international community are falling short to properly address this human rights crisis.
Through the International Coalition Against Modern Slavery, I am circulating a letter to call on member states to take tangible steps to address the connection between modern slavery and gender inequality. Modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms will only be eradicated if gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are truly achieved. Our collective feminism must include the women and girls, in all their diversity, trapped in modern slavery, human trafficking, and all other forms of extreme exploitation.
The letter is linked below, please add your/your organization’s name and share it with those in your network
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JxP2RZ1uoz2J3MgeLcAzHb4olsY_AepfoZFWX1-I1c8/edit?usp=sharing
You can also share the link on Twitter, and repost this on Instagram stories:
In solidarity,
Lela Tolajian
International Coalition Against Modern Slavery
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