-- Freedom from Slavery: Middle East & North Africa regional Forum
Monday, 25 October 2021
7:00am - 9:30am EDT/ 3:00 - 5:30pm GST
This year, Equidem, India Director, Namrata Raju will be speaking at the Middle East & North Africa regional Forum about the impact of COVID 19 on migrant workers’ rights on October 26, 2021.
The overall theme will be “Resilience and Resistance to Modern Slavery: Key Priorities for MENA.” Day 1 will revolve around the “Impact of Covid-19 on vulnerability to modern slavery and migration.” Day 1 will highlight the role of Covid-19 on vulnerability to different forms of modern slavery, including labour trafficking, sex trafficking, and domestic servitude, some of the most prevalent forms of modern slavery in MENA. Special attention will be paid to the key factors that have exacerbated vulnerability during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as heightened migration.
Day 2 will open the conversation to discuss “Ending the cycle of exploitation and strengthening the modern slavery movement through innovation.” Day 2 will introduce pathways to mitigate the exploitation of vulnerable groups in the Middle East and North Africa. Topics for discussion will include the need to reinforce the structural factors (including protective mechanisms and advocacy) that reduce vulnerabilities, facilitate survivor leadership in anti-modern slavery initiatives, and strengthen existing networks.
Like the other regional Forums, programming will be a mix of panel discussions, presentations, and workshops where participants can share recommendations and priorities for governments, CSOs, and the movement as a whole.
Please see the preliminary agenda here.
You can learn more about the Forum and view answers to our most frequently asked questions here.
Please register via Zoom using this link. The Forum will be available in both English and Arabic.