Types of Slavery and Slavery-like Abuse
Occurring in Africa Today
SLAVERY IN
AFRICA NOW
Africa just recorded the highest rate of modern-day
enslavement in the world. Armed conflict, state-
sponsored forced labor, and forced marriages were
the main causes behind the slavery in African.
Despite these practices being widespread, slavery
has remained a largely invisible issue, in part,
because it disproportionately affects the most
marginalized members of society, such as
minorities, women, and children.
What are the slaves being forced
to do? Currently, more than half of
the 40.3 million victims (24.9
million) are in forced labour,
which means they are working
against their will and under threat,
intimidation or coercion. An
additional 15.4 million people are
estimated to be living in forced
marriages.
Forced labour
Of the 24.9 million people trapped
in forced labour, the majority work
in the private sector. Slaves clean
houses and flats; produce the
clothes we wear; pick the fruit and
vegetables we eat; trawl the seas
for the shrimp on our restaurant
plates; dig for the minerals used in
our smartphones, makeup and
electric cars; and work on
construction jobs building
infrastructure.
Sexual Slavery
Sexual slavery continues in the
contemporary world, especially in
the Central African Republic
where armed groups are using rape
in a brutal, calculated way to
punish and terrorize women and
girls Survivors were raped by up to
10 or more men during a single
attack.
During attacks, fighters whipped
women and girls, tied them up for
long periods, burned them, and
threatened them with death.
Survivors report injuries ranging
from broken bones and smashed
teeth to internal injuries, head
trauma and illness, including HIV,
as well as suicidal thoughts and
loss of livelihoods. Most of them
don’t receive a post-rape medical
or mental health care due to a lack
of medical facilities.
Forced Marriage
Forced marriage practices exists in
Africa due to a range of causes,
including poverty, perceived lack
of future prospects, armed
conflicts and longstanding
religious or sociocultural
traditions.
Sandy Gonzalez
Intermediate 1
7:00- 9:00