Human Rights Day Edition: Preventing Modern Slavery with Rani Hong

Unless: The Podcast, hosted by Dr. Hemma R. Lomax

In this episode, Hemma visits with Rani Hong, an Indian-American social entrepreneur, visionary, and CEO of Freedom Seal. Rani is herself a survivor of child trafficking and is using her unique perspective and firsthand understanding of child slavery to help survivors and save victims. Rani is one of the world’s leading voices in the fight against modern-day slavery, and she has worked tirelessly on behalf of people at risk of exploitation – protecting and empowering vulnerable groups and educating businesses and consumers about modern-day slavery.

We are proud to release this episode on International Human Rights Day this year. The UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. Human Rights Day honors the individuals and organizations, like Rani and Freedom Seal, that work to protect and advocate for human rights. The theme for Human Rights Day 2024 is "Our rights, our future, right now." This year’s slogan is "All Human Beings Are Born Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights."

Highlights:

• Rani’s journey from child abduction to social entrepreneur

• The role of data and technology in the fight to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking

• Modeling ethical decision-making: from parenting to corporate leadership

• A call to action for those who want to make a difference in this space

Timestamps:

1:05 - Introducing Rani Hong

2:57 - Rani's work as CEO of Freedom Seal Global

6:44 - How Rani's past drives her work today

10:36 - How do we begin to tackle such an enormous problem?

15:40 - What can corporations do to fight human trafficking?

19:37 - What is the Freedom Seal Global Certification?

24:38 - What Rani is most proud of

Resources:

The Freedom Seal - A Risk Management Company

Biography

Rani Hong is an Indian-American social entrepreneur, visionary, and CEO of Freedom Seal.

Rani is also a survivor of child trafficking and is using her unique perspective and firsthand understanding of child slavery to help survivors and save victims. She is one of the world’s leading voices in the fight against modern-day slavery.

In 2006, Rani started her philanthropic work and founded the Tronie Foundation, a non-profit global organization focused on driving awareness of child slavery, with her husband Trong Hong, also a survivor of child trafficking.

Since 1999, Rani has advised many governments and has been at the forefront of an international effort to protect women and girls. Her most recent focus has been to eradicate the use of slave labor in all aspects of business.

Rani’s tireless efforts include several speeches before the UN General Assembly and meetings with various world leaders, including presidents.

In 2011, Rani was appointed by the UN as a special advisor to the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, helping to establish the Sustainable Development Goal 8, and establishing the first-ever World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Rani has appeared in numerous broadcast and media interviews, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, BBC, Euro News, and other international media.

On November 6th, 2017, Rani joined the Press Office of the Holy See to ask for concrete action against human trafficking. Over 25 journalists helped carry her message worldwide and speak for those without a voice. In 2018, Rani was named Women of the Year in her home country of India.

As a social entrepreneur, Rani created the Freedom Seal, a certification for companies fighting against Human Slavery by committing to mitigate Financial Crime & Modern Slavery. The Freedom Seal symbolizes a future marketplace where forced labor has been reduced. It represents a dream come true for the estimated 40.3 million people, primarily children and women, still trapped in slavery.

Today, Rani dedicates her time and energy to efforts that lead toward a greater global understanding of human trafficking and continues to speak for those without a voice and for those who are imprisoned, enslaved, silenced, and unable to tell their own stories.

Rani’s ability to overcome trauma, loss, and grief has inspired leaders from all over the world to join the global movement against human trafficking.

Rani lives in Olympia, Washington USA, with her husband and children.