Mindful Shopping can help build a safer and more just world
One of my first projects as an instructional designer in 2018 was to create an awareness course on modern slavery. At first, my response was “who is still doing this and what is their number?”
I was, and still am in so many ways, naive. In just one of the many experiences over the years that has helped me tear down blinders placed by the privileged and conservative world I grew up in, this one felt like something I could personally impact immediately. Like, today.
The hard truth is slavery and child labor are being used to make products that many of us buy every day. Some businesses have supply chains so large and branched that they may not be aware of exploitative labor practices in workshops and factories involved in creating their products.
What is Modern Slavery?
As David Westlake told Time Magazine, “there are violently greedy people who are prepared to make money out of other human beings.
If you haven’t heard the term “modern slavery” before now, here’s a quick breakdown:
The International Labour Organization estimates that an estimated 24.9 million people are being used as forced labor in multiple industries including clothing, fishing, cocoa, cannabis, agriculture and others.
One out of every four victims of modern slavery are children.
4 million people are in forced labor imposed by state authorities.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labor, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58% in other sectors.
Becoming a mindful consumer
Some countries are working hard to enforce Modern Slavery Acts that hold businesses accountable for their supply chains.
I believe that we can do more as individuals to help. Looking at the whole problem world-wide can feel big and overwhelming. And as much as I’d love to be able to volunteer time and money to fix what I can, sometimes it’s just not possible.
But, if each of us starts by examining how our own lives intersect with unethical practices, then change one small thing within our control, we can create a huge shift.
By being mindful about the products we buy and the companies we support with our purchases, we can stop giving money to the companies that are part of the problem and start giving money to companies that are part of the solution.
Many businesses are running fair trade operations, creating relationships with their suppliers to provide fair pay for workers, and giving back to the communities where they’re based.
We should all get behind these businesses and buy from them when we can. If we swapped just one of our weekly or daily purchases from less mindful companies and instead buy from organizations that are providing safe haven for so many people, we could have a direct impact on changing industries that bolster modern slavery.
I’ll be using this space to highlight businesses that are working hard to do better, so check back once a week for an update to Haven Goods and links to products you can purchase directly.
It is possible to build a more just world.