International Day for the Abolition of Slavery: Chocolate, Choices, and the Fight Against Modern Slavery

Children from Burkina Faso take a break while working on a cocoa plantation in Ivory Coast in April 2020. (Terrence Collingsworth / Associated Press). Image from article: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-08-15/cocoa-harvested-by-children-child-labor

Today is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. Observed every December 2, this day marks the adoption of the 1949 United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. Its focus is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery such as human trafficking, forced labor, child labor, forced marriage, and the recruitment of children into armed conflict.

While these issues may feel far away, they show up in everyday products, including chocolate and coffee. Over 2 million adults and children are trapped in forced labor and child labor in cocoa and coffee production. Millions of people around the world continue to work under exploitative conditions to produce some of the products we enjoy every day.

At Soul and Story, we believe doing better than good means making choices that support dignity, fairness, and freedom. Choosing ethical, direct-trade chocolate is one small but meaningful way to take a stand. When we do, we honor human dignity, support fair livelihoods, and refuse to let exploitation hide behind something sweet.

We can all make a difference. Gift ethically, share the story, and use your purchases to support ethical producers. Every conscious choice moves us closer to ending slavery.

Source: https://unrcca.unmissions.org/en/press-releases/secretary-generals-message-international-day-abolition-slavery

Resources and Further Reading

• United Nations International Day for the Abolition of Slavery https://www.un.org/en/observances/abolition-of-slavery-day
  

• International Labour Organization - Forced Labour and Child Labour https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm
  

• Fair Trade Certified - Cocoa and Chocolate https://www.fairtradecertified.org/products/chocolate
  

• World Cocoa Foundation - Sustainability and Ethical Cocoa: www.worldcocoafoundation.org/initiative/sustainability/
  

• End Slavery Now - Learn, Act, Give https://www.endslaverynow.org/
  

• Human Rights Watch - Cocoa and Child Labor https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/04/child-labor-and-forced-labor-cocoa
  

• Bureau of International Labor Affairs: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/supply-chains/cocoa
  

• Support Direct-Trade Chocolate and Ethical Makers at Soul and Story [www.soulandstoryinc.com]