Submission to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery
15 March 2021
The Commonwealth 8.7 Network and CHRI submitted a joint response to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery’s call for inputs on the nexus between forced displacement and contemporary forms of slavery. The statement included input from 5 Network members representing Australia, Canada, Nigeria and Vanuatu. The response was published on the OHCHR website and will go on to inform the Special Rapporteur’s thematic report that will be presented at the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The response addresses how the marginalisation and lack of protection afforded to displaced persons increases their vulnerability to contemporary forms of slavery. It also notes the employment challenges faced by displaced persons and how this increases their risk of exploitation. The response also highlights the heightened risk of displaced children and adolescents, particularly those who are unaccompanied.
International Women's Day
The Commonwealth 8.7 Network recognises the important work that its members do every day to realise gender equality and women's empowerment. Every International Women's Day, we take the opportunity to raise awareness of women trapped in contemporary forms of slavery across the Commonwealth and acknowledge the role that gender plays in this issue.
8 March 2024
In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, the Commonwealth 8.7 Network held a webinar on the theme "Transformative Journeys: Women’s Empowerment through Skills Development and Vocational Training."During the webinar, 8.7 Network members, HAART Kenya, Freedom Hub Australia, Destiny Reflection, and a survivor advocate, shared invaluable insights gleaned from their work on delivering skills and vocational training aimed at empowering women survivors.
View the full recording of the webinar here.
8 March 2022
In celebration of International Women's Day 2022, the Commonwealth 8.7 Network launched a social media campaign to celebrate its members and highlight the incredible work they do to support gender equality and women's empowerment across the Commonwealth. The theme for 2022 was #BreakTheBias - a call to imagine a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.
The objectives of this campaign were to raise awareness of the plight of women and girls trapped in contemporary forms of slavery across the Commonwealth, to draw attention to social biases against victims and survivors, and to highlight the work of 8.7 Network members.
See the video that was created to showcase the social media campaign below.