1995.

The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are two of the most powerful players in the world, who, by providing aid and loans to poor countries, can dictate a country’s economic policies. These policy reforms conditioned in exchange for aid force poor countries to reduce social spending in education and health system resulting in an increase in child labor. Poor countries trapped in a cycle of debt owed to the World Bank and IMF are also forced to further reduce social spending.

Sexual harassment is not an illegal practice in many countries and there is shortage of national and international legislation to address this serious rights violation. Studies indicate that women often fail to report incidents to employers or courts because they are unaware of their rights, either because they have been threatened, or because they are afraid they will be punished or humiliated.

This report by Global Witness focuses on how the cocoa industry has fueled corruption and conflict in Cote d'Ivoire.