What is #MyFreedomDay?

#MyFreedomDay is a global day of action, led by students, that raises awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking.

You may have seen the hashtag #MyFreedomDay on social media and wondered what it actually is. It is not just a trending post. It is a real worldwide campaign where students take one day to stand up against modern slavery. This article explains what it is, where it came from, and why it matters.

Source: CNN

The simple version

#MyFreedomDay is a global day of action led by students. It was started by CNN in 2017 as part of the CNN Freedom Project, which has been reporting on modern slavery since 2011.

The idea is pretty simple. On one day each year, students around the world learn about modern slavery, talk about it, and share what freedom means to them. They use the hashtag #MyFreedomDay so everyone can see their voices in one place.

Where it came from

The first #MyFreedomDay took place on March 14, 2017, in Geneva, Switzerland, with a student panel discussion. Since then, it has grown every year.

In 2026, CNN is marking the 10th anniversary of the campaign. The theme this year is “Progress and Obstacles in Combating Modern Slavery”. It is a chance to look at what has changed in the last ten years and what still needs to be done.

According to CNN, students from more than 100 countries take part each year.

What do students actually do?

Students do not just post once and move on. Schools and student groups plan all kinds of activities. Some of the most common ones are:

• Short videos — students say their name and age, then finish the sentence “I am free to…” or share what freedom means to them
• Assemblies and talks at school
• Posters and art exhibitions in classrooms and hallways
• Panel discussions with teachers, survivors, or experts
• Interviews with family and friends about freedom
• Social media posts using the #MyFreedomDay hashtag
• Fundraising for anti-slavery groups

The activity is not the main point. The main point is that students learn, speak up, and get other people to pay attention.

Why does it matter?

Modern slavery is a massive problem. Around 50 million people are living in modern slavery right now, according to the International Labour Organization. Most people have no idea it is that big.

That is where #MyFreedomDay comes in. It matters because:

1. It turns a hard topic into something students can understand and share.
2. It shows that young people can actually make a difference.
3. It gives the issue one loud voice on one day, which is harder to ignore than scattered posts throughout the year.
4. It creates real conversations in schools and families that might never happen otherwise.

How is this project connected?

This website is inspired by #MyFreedomDay. The goal is to make modern slavery easier to understand and to give students, teachers, and anyone else a simple place to learn about it.

You do not have to be part of a big organization to join in. You can:

• Read the other articles on this site, starting with What is Modern Slavery?
• Share what you learn with one friend
• Post your own “I am free to…” message using #MyFreedomDay
• Ask your school if they can take part next year

Freedom is not something everyone has. #MyFreedomDay is one day a year when students around the world remind each other of that — and do something about it.