Meghan Markle Wears Jeans with Hidden Story Inside to Help Slavery Survivors

2019 saw a rising awareness over modern-day slavery, with social enterprises finding unique ways to empower those rescued and help them get back on their feet.

40 million people are trapped in some form of slavery in the world, says the Thomson Reuters Foundation, highlighting several initiatives doing what they can to help victims.

Among the projects mentioned is Survivors Ink in the United States, where tattoo artists welcome sex trafficking victims marked with a brand, serial number or pimp’s name, tattooing over these markers in a drive to help them take back ownership of their bodies and lives.

In Cambodia, survivors of slavery make jeans with a message at Outland Denim – worn among others by Meghan Markle – by stitching their personal stories in a pocket to bring awareness through fashion.

Another initiative highlighted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation is a gourmet bagel shop in Belgrade, Serbia called Bagel Bejgl, which employs survivors to make and deliver their bagels, with profits going into the fight against trafficking in Eastern Europe.