Modern slavery affects over 50 million people worldwide. The situation is severe in Africa, where 3.8 million people are working in forced labor conditions and 3.2 million are trapped in forced marriage. Many factors like poverty and armed conflict drive modern slavery in Africa, but according to a new study by The Conversation, climate change is making it worse.
Climate change and modern slavery
Climate change does not impact societies equally—it amplifies existing inequalities, leaving already disadvantaged communities more vulnerable to exploitation. Those facing poverty, limited access to resources, or weak infrastructure suffer the most when extreme weather caused by climate change destroys homes and livelihoods. Floods, drought, wildfires, among other events, force families to migrate, making them an easy target for traffickers.
The article explains:
“As livelihoods diminish because of climate change, violent extremist groups and organised criminal networks have preyed on the vulnerable. Terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and al Shabaab have used victims in combat operations or held them in sexual slavery, for instance.”
Children are particularly vulnerable. Families struggling to survive often resort to marrying off daughters in exchange for a dowry or bride price. In Ghana, some families sell their children to labor agents who exploit them. Also, girls migrate to the country’s south in search of better conditions but find themselves trafficked and working under exploitative conditions.
Breaking the Cycle: solutions to protect vulnerable communities
Addressing modern slavery across the continent of Africa requires greater accountability from both governments and businesses. Governments must strengthen legal frameworks to criminalize forced labor and human trafficking while ensuring proper enforcement. Additionally, greater regional and international cooperation is essential for intelligence sharing and technical support.
Renewable energy companies must conduct strict human rights checks to prevent exploitation in their operations and supply chains. Businesses should be required to take responsibility for ethical practices at every level. The article also highlights the need to integrate anti-slavery measures into climate policies:
“The narrow formulations of climate policies on mitigation and adaptation must change. In principle, many of these policies focus on environmental outcomes and climate adaptation without considering how climate change drives modern slavery.”
Educating at-risk populations on the dangers of exploitation can also help prevent trafficking. Poverty and inequality remain key drivers of modern slavery, and addressing these underlying issues is critical to reducing vulnerability to exploitation.
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