Annually on December 2, the world celebrates International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. The day was commissioned by the United Nations General Assembly. A worldwide relevant day, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery intends to reduce the modern forms of slavery that exist in the society.
International Day for the abolition of slavery history
December 2 marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2nd December 1949). The focus on this particular day is to remove contemporary forms of slavery. There are several forms of slavery which still exist like trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation. The other worst forms include child labour, forced marriage and also the forced employment of children for use in armed conflict.
International Day for the abolition of slavery significance
The significance of this day is important even today. The world has made huge progression but there is still a large number of people who are victims of slavery. More than 150 million children go through child labour, accounting for almost one in ten children all over the world. The day calls for activity to stop such labour and slavery at an international degree. Various events are held to review the history of slavery and also its evolution. The effects of slavery on human rights are also described in the media. People also express their views through poems, essays, interviews as well as feature writings regarding slavery.
See other Important Days and Dates In December 2020: National And International
According to the UN, 24.9 million people are in forced labour, 15.4 million people are in forced marriage. The data further revealed that 5.4 out of 1,000 people fall victim to modern-day slavery. The UN last year declared that 150 million children are forced into child labour.
The day emphasises the importance of human rights, making sure that people are free from the shackles of slavery. Several organisations also carry out sessions to make people more aware of the slave labor and also its evolution across the world.
The UN stated that it vows to fight a battle against slavery and end bonded labour, forced labour, child labour and trafficking people. Issues like modern slavery are problems that violate article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights argues that a person must not be trapped in slavery and all types of slave trades must be banned.
