International Day for the Abolition Of Slavery

International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery is an annual celebration observed on December 2nd of each year. Slavery exists in every nook and corner of the world. The abolition of the slavery is indeed a vital thing for any forms of life. The Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the atrocities of modern day slavery. International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery is the adoption date of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others approved by the General Assembly.

“Now I’ve been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is. I have seen hundreds of escaped slaves, but I never saw one who was willing to go back and be a slave.” – Harriet Tubman

History of International Day for the Abolition Of Slavery

The first occurrence of the International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery was held in the year 1986. It was organized by the United Nations General Assembly. The celebration of the Day falls on the same date on December 2, 1949, the United Nations General Assembly has approved the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. The Day focuses on the eradication of the slavery in its contemporary forms. It includes trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage and forced recruitment of the children for use in the armed conflict.

To recall the convention, a UN report of the Working Group on Slavery suggested that December 2 be proclaimed as the World Day for the Abolition of Slavery in all its forms in 1985. The day was known as the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery by 1995. International Labour Organization (ILO) states that of about 21 million women, men and children around the world are forced into slavery. Sources say that each year more than one million children are trafficked for cheap labour or sexual exploitation. These types of slaveholding are global problems, and it goes against the article four of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It states that

“no one shall be held in slavery or servitude, slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”

How to Celebrate International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery

Celebrating the International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery is very simple. Take this Day as the best opportunity to indulge yourself to abolish slavery. Learn more about the slavery, history of the slave trade, trafficking in persons and more in detail. Promote awareness about the negative consequences of slavery among the people. Educate people, students, and children about the importance of the abolition of slavery. Raise awareness about this Abolition Of Slavery Day using modern communication tools like flyers, leaflets, posters, and newsletters.