ABOUT

Background 

Modern slavery is a growing global challenge with serious repercussions on the wellbeing of victims. From the estimated 40 million people in modern slavery, 25 million are those under labor exploitation. Children constitute a significant proportion (1/4) of those under labor and sexual exploitation. Ethiopia is one of the source, transit and destination countries for both internal and external trafficking. Many children in Ethiopia are at risk or trapped in modern slavery in the form of exploitative child labor. This is rooted in aspects related to children, family, community as well as on government and civil society. 

To combat both child labour and child trafficking, Ethiopia ratified the key international conventions concerning child labour and human rights. In addition, Ethiopia has also adopted its own national legislation pertaining to child labour and human rights. The government of Ethiopia has also established several organs besides the regular law enforcement and justice institutions, to help translate laws and policies into tangible results. Several community and civil society actors are also involved in the law enforcement and preventing modern slavery in Ethiopia. In principle, the activities to combat child trafficking and child labor are promising developments. 

However, some national legislation contradicts and overrides international standards, leading to confusion and damaging the legal position of child workers. Besides, the government agencies are lacking not only the resources necessary to perform the entrusted tasks but also legitimate authority and accountability corresponding to their roles. In the field of child exploitation and child labor, it is necessary to strengthen government in their understanding and prioritization of child protection and child rights. 

To contribute to the effort of combating child domestic labor, Woord en Daad in collaboration with Hiwot Integrated Development Organization (HIDO), Hope for Justice (HFJ), Justice for All (JFA), Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) and Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) is implementing a project ''Combating Modern Slavery: Breaking the Chains of Exploitative Child Labor'' in Ethiopia with financial support from NORAD. The effort of project partners aims at contributing to two strategic outcomes:

1. Vulnerable children and their families become resilient in the face of recruitment for exploitative child labor.

2. Government, judicial actors and civil society have implemented efforts to prevent, identify and address exploitative child labor and protect victims and vulnerable children.