A/73/139
Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of
slavery, including its causes and consequences
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery,
including its causes and consequences, discusses the gender-related dimensions of
contemporary forms of slavery, with a particular focus on structural discrimination
against women and girls as both a cause and a consequence o f various manifestations
of slavery (including institutions and practices similar to slavery) around the world.
The Special Rapporteur begins by outlining the provisions in international law
and policies that contain guarantees of gender equality and non-discrimination in
relation to the prevention and eradication of contemporary forms of slavery. The
gendered causes of the phenomena are discussed and the forms of discrimination
against women and girls that create and perpetuate manifestations of slave ry, including
forced labour, bonded labour and domestic servitude, are highlighted. The specific
gendered impact of slavery that occurs in a number of economic sectors, namely,
agriculture, garment work, electronics manufacturing, accommodation and food
services, and domestic and care work, are then outlined. The Special Rapporteur
concludes by presenting recommendations to Member States and other stakeholders,
including businesses, for eradicating contemporary forms of slavery.
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