Reasons for The Abolition of Slavery By UN<\/strong><\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/coteau\/status\/1334095201854509058\n\nUnited Nations (UN) is instrumental in the fight against slavery in Africa. The international day for the abolition of slavery was established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly. They saw it appropriate to spread awareness of the adverse effects of these practices. For instance, profits of up to human trafficking is a billion-dollar industry that generates profits of up to $150 billion per year are<\/a>, according to the International Labor Organization.\n\nSlavery in all its forms involves a gross abuse of human rights. However, it is difficult to tackle something so lucrative. To achieve significant gain, we need to set strong laws with stiff punishments against human rights abuses. As the world evolves, the perpetrators of these acts are also evolving. This is also a clarion call for the revision of existing laws to meet the new realities.\n\n\n

The Resurgence of Slavery in Africa Particularly in Libya<\/strong><\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/NicoleCNHS\/status\/1334057622169931777\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_279800\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"] Illegal migrants from Africa, attempting to reach Europe, walk towards a detention center off the coastal town of Guarabouli on July 8, 2017. <\/em>Thirty-five migrants, including seven children, were feared drowned after their inflatable craft sank off the Libyan coast, the coastguard said. Eighty-five migrants, including 18 women, were rescued with the help of fishermen who alerted the coastguard. \/ AFP PHOTO \/ MAHMUD TURKIA (Photo credit should read MAHMUD TURKIA\/AFP\/Getty Images)<\/em>[\/caption]\n\nModern slavery borrows a lot from old slavery systems. Sometime in 2017, news of men being auctioned for slavery spread across the world from Libya. Upon further investigations<\/a>, it was established that slave trade was an ongoing practice in the country. Libya being the main transit point for refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe has become an easy target for slave traders.\n

ALSO READ: GAME CHANGER: Mauritanian Former Slave Makes A Bold Move For Freedom<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n

Common Forms of Modern Slavery in Africa <\/strong><\/h2>\n[caption id=\"attachment_279799\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1200\"] Young Congolese Mai-Mai fighters rest in an empty classroom in the remote town of Mutongo in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in this December 4, 2004 file photo. [Some fight in flip-flops, others hope potions will turn their enemy's bullets into the water and most take little time to aim, trusting in the theory: \"He who makes most noise wins\". But the government soldiers, militia fighters, and bush bandits in eastern Congo all have one thing in common - an AK-47 assault rifle.] - RTXORAT<\/em>[\/caption]\n

#1 - Forced\/Child Labor<\/strong><\/h3>\nTechnically, there are tasks or jobs that people of a certain age aren\u2019t supposed to do. Some tasks are physically and mentally challenging. Therefore, forcing anyone to do such jobs even when they are not ready can lead to serious physical and mental harm. This is the case in some African countries where young children as forced to work in construction sites, quarries, mining fields, and other harsh environments. For example, children are exploited in Congo DR for the mining of cobalt. They work under stringent conditions with little or no pay.\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/MJKingofshop\/status\/1334091202635948034\n

#2 - Human Trafficking <\/strong><\/h3>\nHuman trafficking is predominant in certain parts of the world including Africa and Asia. It involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons for exploitation. Exploitation exists in many ways, such as prostitution, forced labor, servitude, or organ removal. This should be one of the front burners in this year\u2019s international day for the abolition of slavery.\n

#3 - Forced Marriages<\/strong><\/h3>\nChild or forced marriage is a tradition in some African countries to date. According to reports<\/a>, sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected by child or forced marriages. This practice has seen many African girls drop out of school and starting families with little or no knowledge.  \n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Government Makes An Unprecedented Move To Support It's Youth<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n

#4 - Forced Recruitment into War<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe growing violence in Africa is encouraging the recruitment of children into war. Some criminal organizations kidnap children and forcefully train them in combat skills. There are two major forms of forced recruitment: coercion and being born into rebel groups. The number<\/a> of these children that fall victim to forced recruitment is worrisome. This year\u2019s international day for the abolition of slavery presents an opportunity to shine a light on this ill. \n

How to Deal with Systemic Slavery in Africa<\/strong><\/h2>\nAfrican youths bear the burden of systemic slavery. Therefore, as we celebrate the international day for the abolition of slavery, we can do the following to end systemic slavery in Africa.\n\n\n

#1 - Support Anti-Slavery Organizations <\/strong><\/h3>\nMany organizations are already putting in efforts to curb slavery in Africa. However, they need help in funding and human capital to run their operations. Thus, these organizations<\/a> will need ambassadors who can get to the grassroots level and champion their purpose. Sensitization remains one of the keys to beating this malady. \n

#2 - Speak and Stand up Against Slavery<\/strong><\/h3>\nLittle effort like calling out slave traders and anyone involved in slavery in Africa can go a long way. Those carrying out acts like trafficking and sexual harassment are in our midst. It can be a neighbor that is violently abusing their young house-help. Take responsibility today by reporting them to the appropriate authorities. \n

ALSO READ: International Youth Day 2020: How to Empower African Youths for The Challenges of The 21st Century<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n

#3 - Volunteer<\/strong><\/h3>\nFor more hands-on involvement, you can participate in activities and plans to end slavery. For instance, you could join an anti-slavery organization and take up public sensitization roles. Also, you can organize seminars in rural areas and educate them on the need for proper investigation before accepting seemingly juicy offers. \n\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/NobelPrize\/status\/1334175003965845507\n

#4 - Support Poor Families <\/strong><\/h3>\nPoverty is a major cause of slavery. Thus, supporting poor families with money or supplies can help them to resist tempting offers used to lure them into slavery. You can also opt to train children in schools so they can grow to become useful citizens.\n

#5 - Educate Yourself and Others<\/strong><\/h3>\nThere are numerous resources<\/a> on the internet that can help you to understand modern slavery. Understanding the root causes and effects of systemic slavery can help you have a better reason to deal with it. Also, use your social media platforms to create awareness on the issue.\n\n\n

Take Action on International Day for The Abolition of Slavery 2020<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe International Labor Organization (ILO) started a campaign<\/a> that aimed to persuade 50 countries to ratify the protocol on forced labor by the end of 2019. This campaign has been doing well so far. Consequently, this year, more countries are being called upon to join the movement. Many initiatives such as this are on the frontline to end this menace that threatens our society's vulnerable members\u2014the youths. Therefore, we call on our readers to not only read but share this post as widely as possible. ","post_title":"International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery: Dealing With Systemic Slavery In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-day-for-the-abolition-of-slavery-dealing-with-systemic-slavery-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-06 03:56:10","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-06 03:56:10","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=279796","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401761,"post_author":"15306","post_date":"2011-03-28 22:40:40","post_date_gmt":"2011-03-29 05:40:40","post_content":"\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_290128\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"800\"] Libyan Conflict-Was it Right for President Obama to intervene. Photo by National Defense University from Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/em>[\/caption]\n\nOn March 19th, 2011. President Obama made the decision to commit the United States already taxed military to a third Muslim war. Was it Right for President Obama to intervene in the Libyan Conflict?\n\n\"To brush aside America's responsibility as a leader and, more profoundly, our responsibilities to our fellow human beings under such circumstances would have been a betrayal of who we are,\" Obama said in a speech before officers at the National Defense University, a military think tank. \"Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries. The United States of America is different. And as president, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action.\"\n\nAlso in that speech, he said the following.\n

America has an important strategic interest in preventing Qaddafi from overrunning those who oppose him.\u00a0 A massacre would have driven thousands of additional refugees across Libya\u2019s borders, putting enormous strains on the peaceful \u2013- yet fragile -\u2013 transitions in Egypt and Tunisia.\u00a0 The democratic impulses that are dawning across the region would be eclipsed by the darkest form of dictatorship, as repressive leaders concluded that violence is the best strategy to cling to power.\u00a0 The writ of the United Nations Security Council would have been shown to be little more than empty words, crippling that institution\u2019s future credibility to uphold global peace and security.\u00a0 So while I will never minimize the costs involved in military action, I am convinced that a failure to act in Libya would have carried a far greater price for America.\n\nNow, just as there are those who have argued against intervention in Libya, there are others who have suggested that we broaden our military mission beyond the task of protecting the Libyan people, and do whatever it takes to bring down Qaddafi and usher in a new government.\n\nOf course, there is no question that Libya -\u2013 and the world \u2013- would be better off with Qaddafi out of power.\u00a0 I, along with many other world leaders, have embraced that goal, and will actively pursue it through non-military means.<\/blockquote>\nSome Republicans dismissed Obama's speech as too vague. Others said the president had no right to send forces to intervene. Were they right?\n

ALSO READ: Michelle Obama In Duro Olowu Dress<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n ","post_title":"DISCUSSION: Was it Right for President Obama to intervene in the Libyan Conflict?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"discussion-president-obama-libyan-conflict","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 16:44:07","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 16:44:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.wpengine.com\/?p=4178","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"6","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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