Child slavery is a tragic reality that persists in many parts of the world, including Haiti. In the documentary series Slavery: A 21st Century Evil, journalist Rageh Omaar shines a light on the devastating impact of this practice on the lives of millions of children.
In Haiti, child slavery takes the form of “restaveks,” a term derived from the French words “rester avec,” meaning “to stay with.” Poor families are often forced to give their children as domestic help to wealthier acquaintances or relatives, and these children are subject to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their captors.
Omaar’s investigation into this dark world exposes the slave traders who lure these children from isolated villages and sell them to wealthy families. The practice of child slavery in Haiti is not limited to the country itself, as children are often trafficked or sold to the US, where they continue to suffer in silence.
It is estimated that there are over 8.4 million child slaves in the world today, with more than five million of them held as forced labor. This heartbreaking reality is a reminder of the ongoing fight against modern-day slavery, and the urgent need for action to protect the most vulnerable members of our global community.
Slavery: A 21st Century Evil serves as a powerful call to action for all those who seek to end the exploitation of children around the world. Through Omaar’s brave reporting, we are reminded that the fight for justice and freedom is far from over.
