The Commission held meetings in with government representatives and NGOs across Africa to discuss regional approaches and challenges in tackling modern slavery and human trafficking.

Visit to Maisha Girls Safe House:

The Commission visited Maisha Girls Safe House, which provides temporary shelter to girls under 18 years old who are survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. Commissioners heard powerful testimony from survivors about the gap between policy and implementation and the importance of legal support to secure justice.

African representatives share national and regional perspectives:

Commissioners met with government representatives from countries across Africa. Attendees shared valuable insights, including:

• Highlighting the need for renewed prioritisation of the issue on the international agenda.

• Sharing successful approaches in legislation, victim support, and international collaboration.

• Understanding the importance of tackling the root causes of vulnerability to slavery and trafficking.

• Recognising poverty, lack of education, and social injustice as key drivers.

• Discussing challenges like victim identification, law enforcement, and empowering communities.

• Examining the impact of international business practices on vulnerable populations.

• Acknowledging the sensitivity of the term 'modern slavery' while emphasising its use as a term which covers exploitation that occurs within as well as across borders.

NGOs offer grassroots expertise:

The Global Commission convened grassroots organisations to provide critical, on-the-ground insights into the prevalence, drivers, implementation challenges and effective responses to modern slavery and human trafficking in Kenya and surrounding regions. Key takeaways included:

• The vast underreporting of modern slavery, highlighting the need for improved data collection with grassroots organisations.

• Prevalent issues like child labour, domestic servitude, and exploitation in agriculture and fishing.

• The importance of social protection, education, economic empowerment, and community-led interventions.

• Challenges such as limited resources, inflexible frameworks, and a disconnect between national policy and local realities.

• The disconnect between the aims and understanding of international bodies and the experience of victims and survivors and those supporting them on the ground.

• The critical role of empowering survivors and ensuring their voices are central to policy and advocacy.