On March 8, 2022, at Hemingways Hotel, the International Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) made history by signing a declaration to end modern slavery, a practice that affects millions worldwide.
IRCK is a coalition of major faith communities in Kenya that works together to deepen inter-faith dialogue and collaboration. As faith leaders, they recognize their unique position in society and are committed to using their connections and resources to address the root causes of modern slavery.
Abdirahman Ismael, the IRCK Executive Director, emphasized the importance of faith leaders in the fight against modern slavery, saying, 'As faith leaders, the society holds us to account given the unique position that has been bestowed on us. We will use our connections and resources to address the root causes of this vice and ensure that it is completely eradicated from our society and perpetrators brought to book.'
Global Freedom Network, the faith arm of the international human rights group Walk Free, hosted the declaration signing. The organization believes that faith leaders occupy a prominent position and are well-placed to lead the fight against modern slavery in their communities.
Modern slavery is an umbrella term that includes human trafficking, domestic servitude, the worst forms of child labor, and forced child marriage. The Global Freedom Network is dedicated to accelerating the end of modern slavery and has been working with faith leaders across the world to achieve this goal.
Kenya becomes the second signing venue in Africa after faith leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Cote d'Ivoire joined Ghanaian leaders to sign the commitment in a ceremony held in Accra in August 2021.
The signing event coincided with the launch of the Faith for Freedom smartphone app, which was developed in collaboration with faith leaders to help guide them in tackling modern slavery in their communities and congregations.
Ms. Franca Pellegrini, director of the Global Freedom Network, said, 'This is a practical tool designed for and developed by faith leaders to assist with their important work addressing modern slavery in their congregations and communities. We are using modern technology to address an age-old problem.'
The Faith For Freedom app is free to download from Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store. Visit faithforfreedom.org to learn more.
