The Global Slavery Index 2023

Spotlights 4 

​Modern Slavery: A Weapon and Consequence of War (Part 2)

Responses to modern slavery in conflict settings 
Much more needs to be done to prevent modern slavery in conflict-affected areas and to protect those fleeing warzones. Significant gaps remain in the humanitarian response and in peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts to ensure adequate support to at-risk persons; in fact, humanitarians and peace actors are often denied access. 
 
To address this gap, Walk Free supported the development of the Global Protection Cluster’s 2020 Guidance to support Protection Clusters to detect, identify, refer, protect, and assist trafficked persons in internal displacement settings. Following dissemination of the guidance and the training of humanitarian protection actors, Protection Clusters are increasingly reporting risks of modern slavery and related crimes — abduction, sexual and gender- based violence, recruitment and use of children by armed groups, forced labour, and child and forced marriage — in the areas where they are carrying out their work. 
 
Despite this, there remains limited data about what works to tackle modern slavery in times of conflict. Systematic reviews have found few peer-reviewed studies exploring the connection between humanitarian disasters and modern slavery and even fewer that have made subsequent policy recommendations. 
 
Responding to specific forms of modern slavery in conflict settings requires equally tailored programming. To date, the evaluations of programs providing support to former child soldiers highlight that traditional disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programs are not enough to successfully reintegrate child soldiers into their communities. These evaluations emphasise the significance of community-based interventions, non-formal education, and apprenticeships for affected children, in addition to support for host communities. Likewise, responding to child and forced marriage requires gender and age-sensitive approaches, and in the context of humanitarian settings, should be introduced at the early stages of the crisis. An analysis of lessons learned emphasises the importance of enhancing the agency of girls, promoting access to support and referral services, empowering girls through education, coordination among relevant actors, and long-term community engagement. 
 
There is a need for increased action to prevent modern slavery in conflict settings and protect victims and survivors. This will require better coordination among humanitarian actors, those working in protection and the anti-slavery sector. Addressing this complex crime within equally complex contexts requires concerted action. 
 
No safe path: Perspectives from a former child soldier 
James (not his real name), 17, is the eldest of three brothers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their father died and their mother worked in the fields to support their family. One day, James was walking home from school with three friends from his village when he heard someone calling his name. As they crossed the fruit plantation, a boy of about 10 years old suddenly appeared. He amused James by telling him stories and asking strange questions, so James told his friends to go ahead. Then, everything changed. 
 
While held by the armed group, James was forced to learn their ideology and received training in military intelligence, armed robbery, weapons, livestock theft, and intimidation methods for robbing people on the road or in the fields or abducting them. He was forced to perform many jobs, starting as a cook before being promoted to bodyguard of the camp commander, and was eventually made to lead operations on a national road. He was sometimes sent with other children to support joint operations with different armed groups. 
 
One day, during an operation to steal livestock, James seized his opportunity to escape. He left his weapon on the roadside and reported to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who took him to Uvira where the International Committee of the Red Cross helped him to find his family. 
 
James was happy to be reunited with his mother. He received assistance from an NGO to start his own hairdressing salon, which now enables him to support himself and his mother. He is starting to think about having his own family. 
 
James shared his story for the 2019 International Review of the Red Cross, which features the experiences of former child soldiers recruited in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, their difficulties, and hopes for a new life. 
 
Recommendations for governments 
Support the integration of anti- slavery action into humanitarian and peacebuilding responses, including humanitarian response plans, action plans to address grave violations against children in armed conflict, Women, Peace and Security agendas, and transition measures for peacebuilding and peacekeeping. 
 
Work with humanitarian actors to raise awareness of modern slavery among populations at high risk of displacement. Ensure that needs- based, protection-specific assistance is provided in areas of high displacement, which includes facilitating access to livelihood opportunities, education, medical services, and legal counsel. 
 
Activate safe referral and incident reporting mechanisms in humanitarian settings. Ensure frontline humanitarian and peacebuilding actors are trained on modern slavery concepts and responses, particularly how to identify and refer cases of exploitation to support services.
 
Ensure effective access to international protection and family reunification for those affected by conflict and expand resettlement and planned relocation opportunities. 
 
Take urgent action to address the drivers of conflict by reducing gender- based discrimination and violence, improving women’s access to social and economic opportunities, reducing poverty, combating climate change, and taking measures to address community violence based on religious, ethnic, racial, or other statuses. 
 
Walk Free 2023. Global Slavery Index 2023. Minderoo Foundation Ltd. Australia.