Gender Inequality in National Laws Predicts Estimated Prevalence of Modern Slavery Victims across Countries

Author: Cameron, Erinn; Hemingway, Samantha; Tschida, Sherri; Kaur Heer, Rupinder & Jacquin, Kristine

Abstract: Human exploitation is an egregious human rights violation that disproportionately affects women and girls worldwide. Gender inequality, a major risk factor to female exploitation, is sometimes codified into countries’ legal systems. We examined the predictive value of gender inequality in national laws on the estimated prevalence of modern slavery across countries. Regression analysis revealed significant results. The model with the largest effect size included predictor variables of constitutional laws protecting women from discrimination, equal citizenship rights for women, laws regarding sexual harassment, gender discrimination in employment, domestic violence laws, equality for women in the court system, and freedom of movement for women. Results suggest that reducing structural gender inequalities in national laws could increase women’s safety and security, thereby contributing to solutions aimed at decreasing the overall prevalence of all forms of human exploitation.

Keywords: gender inequality, modern slavery, human trafficking, national laws, Global Slavery Index