The third Global Slavery Index for 2016 has
revealed that an estimated 45.8 million men,
women and children around the world are
today trapped in modern slavery – 28% more
than previously estimated.
According to the findings conducted on 167
most populous countries and released on
Tuesday, Nigeria ranks 23 in 2016,
The flagship research report published by the
Walk Free Foundation observed that the 45.8
population are enslaved through human
trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage,
forced or servile marriage or commercial
sexual exploitation.
The 2016 estimate is an increase on the
estimate provided in the previous edition of
the Index. As efforts to measure this hidden
crime are relatively new, it is premature to
assert that modern slavery has increased in
the intervening period.
Indeed, the results from Global Slavery Index
website, quoting Walk Free Foundation, the
national surveys reveal a mixed picture, with
increases in some national estimates and
decreases in others. For example, the national
survey in Bangladesh resulted in an estimate
of 1.5 million people in modern slavery, an
increase from the previous estimate of
680,900 people. Similarly, the national survey
in Myanmar led to an increase in the
estimate-from 231,600 in 2014 to 500,000 in
this edition.
For over 400 years, more than 15 million men,
women and children were the victims of the
tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the
darkest chapters in human history.
For the United Nations, every year on 25
March, the International Day of Remembrance
for the Victims of Slavery and the
Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the
opportunity to honour and remember those
who suffered and died at the hands of the
brutal slavery system. The International Day
also aims to raise awareness about the
dangers of racism and prejudice today.
North Korea is the country with the greatest
prevalence of modern slavery, with 4.37% of
its population estimated to be enslaved. It is
also the country with the weakest government
response in terms of actions taken to combat
modern slavery. The next highest prevalence
of slavery is found in Uzbekistan (3.97%),
followed by Cambodia (1.65%).
In terms of absolute numbers, India remains
the highest with an estimated 18.35 million
enslaved people, followed by China (3.39m),
Pakistan (2.13m), Bangladesh (1.53m)
and Uzbekistan (1.23m). Combined, these five
countries account for almost 58% of the
world’s enslaved, or 26.6 million people.
The 2016 Global Slavery Index estimates that
28% more people are enslaved than reported
in the 2014 edition. This significant increase
is due to enhanced data collection and
research methodology. Survey research for
the 2016 Global Slavery Index included over
42,000 interviews conducted in 53 languages
across 25 countries, including 15 state-level
surveys in India. These representative surveys
cover 44% of the global population.
Meanwhile, since the index started, only a few
countries have taken strong actions to
address the menace. Among these countries
are Netherlands ranking topmost, the United
States of America ranking second, the United
Kingdom third, Sweden ranks fourth, with
Australia fifth on the table.
Sadly, countries with the highest prevalence
have taken even less actions to address the
problem. It is assumed that governments of
these countries have failed to pay attention to
the general wellbeing of citizens.
For instance, North Korea that leads the table
of slavery index also ranks 161 in terms of
action to reduce slavery. Meanwhile, at 160 is
Iran that ranks 20; Eritrea is at 159, Equatorial
Guinea at 158 and Hong Kong at 157. This is
not good enough to reduce global slavery to
the minimum.
However, by the description of Walk Free
Foundation of modern day slavery, most
Nigerians living in places like Lagos, Kano and
Calabar could be classified as modern day
slaves.
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