Slavery in Niger

Despite being prohibited under the 1999 Constitution and the Penal Code, many people remain in various forms of slavery. People are born into slavery, and are forced to work without pay for their so-called masters throughout their lives, primarily herding cattle, working on farmland or as domestic servants. Born into slavery, children become the property of their masters and can be passed from one slave owner to another as gifts or as part of a dowry. Girls are forced to start work as domestic servants at a very young age and are at the continual beck and call of their masters. Girls may be sexually abused by men in the household or forced to marry at a young age.

The true scale of slavery became clear last year, after Timidria carried out extensive research, supported by Anti-Slavery International. In this, the first national survey on slavery, over 11,000 people were interviewed, most of whom were identified as slaves. The research establishes that a minimum of 43,000 people are in slavery across the country.

From: Anti-Slavery