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Slavery is an integral part of each of our lives but we are willfully blind and blissfully unaware of this gruesome reality.

When we think about slavery or human trafficking, we may think about people tied to ball and chain, severely malnourished, and probably from the distant past. But the reality is that slavery is as prevalent now as it was decades ago. And it is much closer to home than most of us would think.

In this episode, we are joined by Archana Kotecha, Head Of Legal, Liberty Asia and Kimberley Cole, Head of Solution Sales, Financial & Risk, Asia, Thomson Reuters. Kimberley is also Board Member of the Fair Employment Foundation and Chief Risky Woman for the Risky Women Network, a global network connecting, celebrating and championing women in risk, regulation and compliance. Archana and Kimberley do profound and disruptive work to end modern day slavery through Liberty Asia and the Thomson Reuters Anti Slavery Summit.

In this episode, you learn about…

  • The “business” of human trafficking
  • The depth, scale, and the realities of modern-day slavery
  • The role of corporations, financial, legal, and public sectors to end this problem
  • The different faces of modern day slavery
  • How using data and following the money can drive prevention
  • Technology as a catalyst for change, and the women who are doing groundbreaking work in this area
  • The importance of collaborations for greater impact
  • The role of millennials in fighting for equality

What is that tipping point that you decide you are really gonna take action?

Both Archana and Kimberley’s background opened their eyes to the realities of modern-day slavery and moved them both from feeling touched by the issues and actually work on it.

Each of us may have a sensation that slavery is happening somewhere else but if we take the leap and realize that it is everywhere, we can also be moved to take action to stop modern day slavery.

Liberty Asia is all about the disruptions of slavery networks

It aims to prevent human trafficking through legal advocacy, technological interventions, and strategic collaborations with NGOs & corporations in Asia. Modern-day slavery involves 40.3 Billion People worldwide and is a 150 Billion Dollar industry. And when the criminal justice approach fails, this is where Liberty Asia picks up. Liberty Asia and its affiliates provide a platform for collaboration, partnerships, data gathering, technology, and providing innovative and creative thinking in lawyering.

The Importance of Collaborations for Greater Impact

Each one of us has the capacity to make a difference, but when we work together, we can make a bigger impact. Through Trust Forum Asia, media, banking alliances, corporations, and NGO’s are brought together to affect change.

Using Data and Technology

In using data and technology, modern-day slavery can be prevented from getting into the system. A great example presented by Leanne Kemp of Everledger to trace diamonds using blockchains. Another one is the use of AI and facial recognition for missing persons by Emily Kennedy of Marinus Analytics.

Archana Kotecha heads the Legal Department at Liberty Asia. Photo Credit: Liberty Asia.

How many slaves work for you?

As consumers, we think we are not part of the problem, but looking at the website slaveryfootprint.org, we are made aware of what happens deep in the supply chain and what our role is to make informed buying decisions. Our purchasing power can drive change. In a study made, people are generally willing to pay more to be sure there are no persons exploited.We can be more responsible consumers and have the power to fight human trafficking from our own homes.

You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know. William Wilberforce Click To Tweet

Look into the Future

Although it is frustrating to see the current climate of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, both women are hopeful that the future would be safer and more humane as more and more people and key decision makers are becoming aware of the problem, more technology and platforms are being built to help people speak up and access justice.

Our learnings from this episode. Have something to add? Get in touch with us here!

Our learnings from this episode. Have something to add? Get in touch with us here!

#impACT – some ideas to make a change! 

  • Getting informed puts us in a position to take an informed next step.
  • The more engaged we are, the more chance we will see change.
  • Check our useful resources for more information on the topic and ways to connect with Liberty Asia.

Useful Resources:

Liberty Asia

Freedom Collaborative

Archana Kotecha

Kimberley Cole

If you enjoyed this episode, you will also love hearing from Matt Friedman, CEO of The Mekong Club, who is fighting the business of Slavery. Listen here.

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