Open Menu

Thandi

2016 (Narrative date)

It is estimated that there are over 9.2 million people living in conditions of modern slavery across Africa (GSI 2018). When considering forms of modern slavery, the rate of forced marriage (4.8 victims per 1000 people) was higher than the rate of forced labour (2.8 victims per 1000 people). Over half og all victims of forced labour were held in debt bondate, with similar proportions of men and women in the region trapped through dept. An estimated 400,000 people in Africa were victims of forced sexual exploitation. Within the region, Eritrea, Burundi, and Central African Republic were the countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery; however, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the highest absolute number and accounted for over one-quarter (26.3 percent) of all victims in the region.

Thandi travelled abroad for what she thought was a decent job. However, upon arrival, her passport was taken and she was forced in to domestic servitude for 4 years.

My name in Thandi. I was one of 21 million trapped in modern day slavery. After I finished high school I was offered a decent job overseas. Or so I thought. When I arrive, I was brought to a man who I think was my broker. He took my passport and he sent me to work for a family who had 5 children. I did everything in the house, cleaning, taking care of the kids, cooking, washing laundry. I worked 10-14 hours a day, with no days off. I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere. Even though I didn’t have a contract, I wasn’t allowed to quite. I was forced to do this for 4 more years until I was allowed to go home.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=x0upd1gIp3U

Narrative courtesy of International Labour Organization

Country

Theme

Type

Related Items

Choti Mende Kavita Jean-Robert Vi Miguel Maria Suarez Munni Christine Beatrice A
Scroll left
Scroll right