Brussels exhibition turns modern slavery statistics into portraits

“Slavery: Stories of the Present” opened on Thursday (5 November) at Géopolis, a city-supported photojournalism museum. It brings together work by American photographer Lisa Kristine, who profiles victims of human trafficking, and Élise Blanchard, whose photographs show women and girls in rural Afghanistan, where some are forced to marry in their early teens.

Around 50 million people were enslaved in 2022, including 27 million in forced labour and 22 million in marriages against their will, according to International Labour Organisation data. The total had risen by 10 million since 2016. Some people are sold to settle family debts; others are deceived by promises of good working conditions. In the EU, at least 880,000 people are forced to work, including 270,000 who are sex-trafficked.

Kristine said photographs can make an issue often reduced to statistics more immediate. “A photograph allows for us to really stare,” she told EUobserver, explaining that viewers can take time to see another person and feel empathy. “The issue is rather abstract, full of data… but when you actually see a human being, it speaks more to your heart.”

Blanchard’s portraits depict Afghan families who have lost herding grounds or can no longer farm their land because of climate change. Selling daughters into marriage can become a way to address family debts. “I’m not trying to frighten somebody or overwhelm somebody with something horrific…” Blanchard said, adding that she aims to show the women’s human dignity.