According to the Global Slavery Index 2016, two thirds of the estimated 45.8 million people in modern slavery are in Asia Pacific. All forms of modern slavery were identified including forced labour in brick kilns, agriculture and the garment sector, child soldiers in Afghanistan, India and Thailand, forced begging, and commercial sexual exploitation. Men and women experienced forced labour in manufacturing, agriculture, food production and construction. Women were also vulnerable to sexual exploitation, forced marriage and domestic servitude.
The Trafficking in Persons report published annually by the United States Department of State is an important instrument in the fight against human trafficking. Although it has its limitations, biases and flaws, the report nonetheless serves well as an advocacy tool to encourage governments and non-governmental organisations to work towards eradicating human trafficking in their countries.