Advancing a child rights informed approach to antislavery policy and practice: A systematic review of literature at the intersection of children’s rights and modern slavery

The Bonavero Institute of Human Rights is delighted to announce the publication of 'Advancing a child rights informed approach to antislavery policy and practice: A systematic review of literature at the intersection of children’s rights and modern slavery' by Dr Naomi Lott, Pamela Vargas-Gorena, and Dr Katarina Schwarz.

This ILO and IOM Report is the final report of the Research to Action funded project examining the intersections between children’s rights and modern slavery literature to identify gaps in theory and understanding between the two fields, how the two fields can inform each other, and what aspects of children’s rights practice are deemed crucial to countering modern slavery and child labour. Through a review of 7,267 records, and a detailed analysis and synthesis of 153 academic papers, the report shows that there is considerable value in meaningful interaction between the two fields of modern slavery and children’s rights research, yet this is not currently common practice in academic literature.  It reveals tensions between the two fields, particularly in relation to children’s agency, as well as areas of agreement. It highlights the potential benefits of greater engagement between the two fields of research for both modern slavery and children’s rights legislation, policies, theory, and practices. The review provides an in-depth examination and synthesis of literature at the nexus of children’s rights and modern slavery.

This report aims to initiate a deeper interaction of these two fields, across literature and practice.

To celebrate the publication of this Report, the Bonavero Institute is hosting a launch, with a distinguished panel, to open the discussion on interactions between the two fields of modern slavery and children’s rights.