The prevalence of modern slavery and the profits made from forced labour have surged to all-time highs, as growing conflicts and crises exacerbate modern slavery and financial vulnerabilities. Research consistently shows women and girls are disproportionately targeted for certain forms of modern slavery, especially sexual exploitation, yet they face barriers in accessing financial services. Men and boys, particularly in marginalized groups, are also vulnerable but often overlooked in protection efforts.
On 22 May, the Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) initiative at UNU-CPR co-hosted a Protection of Civilians Week side-event with All Survivors Project to raise awareness and action on the need for gender-responsive and gender-transformative approaches in protection interventions for populations vulnerable to modern slavery and human trafficking, including those who are excluded from the formal financial system and those who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).
This moderated, interactive panel brought together policymakers, practitioners, and experts from Member States, civil society organizations, and UN agencies from across the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus, to highlight the need for urgent action and coordinated gender-responsive and transformative approaches in the protection of all civilians in conflicts across the globe.