Human slavery, a practice that has existed for centuries, continues to persist today. According to various reports, there are an estimated 27 million people who are currently living in modern-day slavery around the world, a figure that is higher than at any other time in history. Shockingly, half of these individuals are children, which amounts to around 13.5 million children living in slavery worldwide.

The term “slavery” encompasses a range of practices, including forced labor, forced marriage, and human trafficking. These individuals are often forced to work long hours, under poor conditions and with little or no pay, with no ability to leave their situation.

Children are particularly vulnerable to slavery due to their young age and lack of power. They can be trafficked across borders, forced to work in factories or as domestic servants, or exploited in the sex industry. They are often taken from their families or sold into slavery by desperate parents or guardians who are unable to care for them.

The number of people living in slavery is truly staggering, and the fact that so many of them are children is particularly disturbing. Individuals and governments need to recognize the gravity of this issue and take action to end it. No one should be for sale, least of all a child.