Challenging Slavery! Discrimination based on work and descent (DWD) is estimated to affect over 260 million people worldwide, in Africa, Asia, Europe,South America and North America. In West African countries such as Mali, Mauritania and Niger, this type of discrimination affects communities of ethnic minorities who are considered to be descendants of slaves. This modern day slavery is also linked to crimes such as trafficking, forced labour and forced marriages,among various other manifestations. The Africa Network of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent and against Slavery (ANDS) is a coalition of like-minded organisations from West Africa, and mentored by Trust Africa and supported by the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFDWD), and the Social Justice DWD TaskForce of the Global Call for Action against Poverty (GCAP), which aims to empower the groups and communities to bring visibility toend slavery and DWD situation in West Africa. The proposed joint initiative by ANDS, titled ‘People’s movement to end modern day slavery’,through the support of VOICE, AIMS to “build a critical mass-movement lead by rightsholder communities of West African countries of Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, for creating pressure on their governments and international bodies, for eliminating contemporary forms of slavery and discrimination-based on work and descent (DWD), so that they can claim and realise equality, freedom,justice and security, which is meant for all citizens”. We visualise that ourcollaborative initiative will bring about the IMPACT OUTCOMES where the ‘rightsholders’assertion and advocacy for eliminating contemporary forms of slavery and DWD will enable them to claim and enjoy their rights and entitlements, will build perspective of civil society on slavery and DWD, and hold states accountablefor effective policy response and action in tackling DWD”. OBJECTIVES: 1- To build and strengthen the emerging sub-regional networkof groups of rightsholders of ethnic minorities affected mymodern slavery as a form of discrimination based on work and descent (DWD). 2- To build visibility on modern slavery of ethnic minority groups affected by discrimination based on work and descent (DWD) inthe respective countries of West Africa, among thegeneral populace,national and international media and human rights mechanisms,so that the existence, prevalence and scale of the problem will be acknowledged and known. 3- To advocate with state and national governments for undertaking a prompt and effective response to tackle modern slavery/DWD in their respective countries through effective implementation and enactment of appropriate laws and policies. 4- To bring the attention of national and international media and human rights mechanisms towards theissue of modern slavery/DWD within respective countries of West Africa. STRATEGY: 1. Create Evidenceof slavery and DWD incidences so that governments will acknowledge the existence, nature, scale and gravity of issue. This will be done through a baseline survey, investigation missions for notable cases; published opinion pieces etc. Information will be uploadedthrough a common website. 2.Build Movement of Rightsholders: The capacities of rightsholder groups will be built through trainings and other exposure, so that they are enabled to lead the process of change. 3. Build Perspective and Generate Awareness of public onthe issue of DWD and contemporary slavery in the mentioned countries. 4. Build Solidarity among stakeholders for Effective Advocacy:Stakeholders who have an influencing role in public opinion will be engaged in project for participating in the process of change. 5. Advocate with national governments and international human rights mechanisms for effective implementation/ enactment of lawsand policies for eradicating contemporary slavery and DWD 6.Cross Border and Regional collaboration (Networking) for Advocacy: The initiative