Modern slavery in Togo today?

Introduction

While Togo no longer participates in the transatlantic slave trade that historically impacted the region, various forms of modern slavery and human trafficking continue to affect the country today. Here’s an overview of the current situation:

Modern Slavery in Togo

Togo faces ongoing challenges with contemporary forms of slavery, including:

Human Trafficking

Children in Togo are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including commercial sexual exploitation, forced begging, and smuggling.

Forced Labor

Some Togolese, particularly children, are exploited in domestic servitude and forced labor in various sectors.

Child Exploitation

Under the “confiage” (trust) system, children from rural areas are sent to cities for education but may end up in domestic servitude.

Regional Context

Togo is part of a broader regional issue:

The Gulf of Guinea serves as a conduit for trafficking Togolese children to neighboring countries like Côte d’Ivoire for forced labor on cocoa farms.

Togo is both a source and transit country for human trafficking in West Africa.

Government Response

The Togolese government has taken steps to address these issues:

Togo does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.

The country has improved its legal frameworks to combat modern slavery in recent years.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite progress, several factors contribute to the persistence of slavery-like practices in Togo:

Poverty and lack of economic opportunities make people vulnerable to exploitation.

Traditional practices and social norms sometimes perpetuate forms of servitude.

Limited resources and capacity hinder full implementation of anti-trafficking measures.

Conclusion

While the historical transatlantic slave trade no longer exists in Togo, the country continues to grapple with contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking. Efforts to combat these issues are ongoing, but challenges remain in fully eradicating all forms of modern slavery from Togolese society.