Slavery continues to devastate the lives of millions globally, especially among Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD). Across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and beyond, groups like the Dalits, Haratins, Roma, Burakumin, and Quilombolas face entrenched discrimination linked to their descent, locking them into hereditary forms of exploitation and servitude. This system affects over 300 million people worldwide, making slavery a global issue that spans every region.

These communities often endure extreme forms of labor exploitation, forced to work in dehumanizing conditions such as domestic servitude, manual labor, and waste management—tasks considered “impure” by dominant groups. This oppression is rooted in social structures that brand them as “unclean” by birth, confining them to physically segregated, impoverished areas with little to no access to basic necessities like clean water, sanitation, or electricity.

Slavery within CDWD is often modern in form but traditional in origin, perpetuating cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and social exclusion. Many are coerced into forced labor or face the grim alternative of homelessness. This systemic oppression diminishes their life chances and leaves them vulnerable to ongoing exploitation, while the global community, including institutions like the United Nations, has yet to fully recognize or address their plight.

The impact of this form of slavery is staggering, affecting over 300 million people—the equivalent of the world’s 5th largest country—denying them dignity, freedom, and the right to a better future. Ending this deeply rooted oppression is crucial to improving the lives of CDWD and eradicating modern slavery worldwide.