Faith leaders urge victim-centred fight against modern slavery
Religious leader at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Very Reverend Father Kwame Labi, has argued that efforts to combat modern slavery should prioritise the needs of victims rather than focusing on the perpetrators.
He delivered this message on 8 October at the Kempinski Hotel during the Faith in Action Against Modern Slavery conference.
The conference, organised by the Global Freedom Network (GFN), brought together survivors, faith leaders, civil society, and government partners to reflect on progress and reignite action against human trafficking, forced labour, and forced or child marriage.
The event reviewed collective progress over the past 10 years and sparked fresh momentum to confront today’s most urgent challenges, including human trafficking, forced labour, and child exploitation.
An estimated 91,000 people in Ghana are living in modern slavery, according to the Global Slavery Index, highlighting the urgent need for action against exploitation.
Globally, 50 million people are affected, including those subjected to forced labour, human trafficking, and forced or child marriage.
Speaking at the conference, Very Reverend Father Kwame Labi of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church emphasised the need for victim-centred solutions, stating that effective responses must tackle the root causes of criminality. He called for advocacy addressing poverty and inequality, alongside accessible and equitable quality education and awareness creation about the realities of modern slavery.
Spokesman for the Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, highlighted the critical role of faith-based organisations in challenging cultural traditions that may contribute to harm. He urged religious leaders to form a coalition and use their platforms to change mindsets and clearly communicate the dangers of modern slavery.
“Our diversity is natural, and out of those diversities arise some of the traditions that birth harmful consequences for our people. Some may have very good consequences,” he noted.
Addressing gender-based exploitation, National Director of Talitha Kum and Director of Safe Child Advocacy, Sister Silvia Umoh, reaffirmed the deep commitment of women religious leaders. She stated that women religious have always been “at the centre stage” of responding to issues concerning women, driven by a passion to liberate those in vulnerable and marginalised situations.
“We are concerned about issues around women and empowering women, especially women in the margins of society, women in vulnerable situations, and women in the periphery of society. Whatever affects any woman at all affects us, even if we are not directly in that situation,” she said.
The Global Freedom Network, convener of the Faith in Action Against Modern Slavery conference, was founded in 2014 with the historic Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders Against Modern Slavery at the Vatican. Since then, it has united leaders across Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism in a shared commitment to end slavery.
