International Day for the Abolition of Slavery observed on 2 December

2 December: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was observed by the United Nations on 2 December 2014.The day is observed to focus on the elimination of human trafficking, child labour and other forms of modern-day slavery.

As a part of observation, the religious leaders across the world gathered in the Vatican for the eradication of modern slavery and signed a joint declaration against modern slavery. The religious leaders include Pope Francis joined Anglican, Orthodox, Jewish, Shia and Sunni Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist representatives in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on world leaders, businesses and civil society alike to banish the barbaric practices of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has teamed up with prominent artists, athletes and advocated a new campaign to End Slavery Now. Many events took place on the day that people around the world share their perspective in writing through poetry, opinion pieces and short stories.

According to the data, 21 million women, men and children are trapped in slavery all over the world.

About International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of adoption on 2 December 1929 by the United Nations General Assembly‘s Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.

The day focuses on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, and the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.