Regardless of their age, slaves are under a master's total control. They are not allowed to make any decisions for themselves, whether it is deciding when to eat and sleep or whom they marry. In many cases, families are not even allowed to stay together. The children of slaves are removed from their mothers when they are as young as two years old, and are given to other masters.

Despite its prevalence, the true scale of slavery in Niger only became clear last year, following joint research that Anti-Slavery International carried out with Timidria. In conducting the first national survey of this abuse, over 11,000 people were interviewed, most of whom were identified as slaves. The research establishes that at least 43,000 people are in slavery across the country. Many of those interviewed were subjected to torture and other forms of humiliating and degrading treatment, including rape, physical abuse and threats.

Because slaves are seen as property, when a master dies, his children inherit his slaves, extending the status even to people who have been freed. Altena, said, "even though my master is now dead, his children still consider me to be their slave." Often this leads to masters claiming freed slaves' dowries and belongings as their rightful inheritance.

Timidria works to change people's views through mass education campaigns, holding large-scale rallies and using poetry, drama and music to convey the message that slavery and discrimination are not acceptable, and that everyone has the right to live free. This is crucial in the fight against slavery, as Altena explains: "slaves are not shackled, they are tied to the master psychologically." One of the means that a slave owner uses is the belief that the master is god, and that slaves may only enter paradise on his or her word.

But in spite of this, slaves have managed to escape. After 53 years in slavery, Altena said she "had had enough. So I folded my tent and went to the master and told him I had finished with slavery".

Altena braved her master's threats and left with nine other enslaved families. They went to Timidria's local office in Abalak, in central Niger, which has helped them to rebuild their lives as free people.

Timidria has local branches throughout the country staffed by volunteers. Despite having few resources of its own, the organisation provides food, shelter and the means for former slaves to have some economic independence. It helps them integrate in communities and provides income-generating activities as well as raising awareness of slavery.

Niger is one of the world's poorest countries and there is often little real alternative for slaves than to remain completely dependent on their master. Timidria's projects address this. It gives farming equipment or animals to former slaves. And has set up women's groups which run micro-credit schemes showing women who have fled slavery that there are alternatives.

Slavery is a taboo subject in Niger with supporters both within the state apparatus and among traditional chiefs. Even other human rights organisations in the country have been silent on it. Timidria's president, Ilguilas Weila, and staff have faced a continual struggle in their work against slavery, including being threatened, intimidated and attacked.

The fact that Timidria's lobbying and campaigning have borne fruit is a sign of their resilience. Following last year's publication of Timidria's national survey on slavery, the Government introduced a law that defines, prohibits and punishes slavery.

Anti-Slavery International is awarding Timidria for its courageous efforts and its work to make sure that the law is properly implemented and that the victims of slavery are given the help they need to rebuild their lives as equal citizens of Niger.

Timidria's President, Ilguilas Weila, received the Award on behalf of the organisation at a ceremony in London on 3 November at Chatham House. The Award was presented by internationally renowned Sierra Leonean filmmaker Sorious Samura.

On 10 November a second presentation ceremony was held in Paris with our partner the Comité contre l'esclavage moderne, at la Maison des Associations presented by M. Joël Thoraval, President of the Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme (CNCDH). You can read Ilguilas Weila's speech.

The Reporter is Anti-Slavery International's 16-page quarterly magazine. It is available to all members free of charge. By receiving the Reporter you will keep informed of the latest issues of slavery around the world, in-depth features and new developments in the fight to end slavery.

Millions of people are enslaved in bonded labour across India. Most are dalits ('untouchables'), minorities or indigenous people. Since India outlawed bonded labour almost 30 years ago, organisations across the country have been working to help those enslaved in this way to free themselves and each other.

I visited Chattisgarh in central India, where most of the bonded labourers work in agriculture and belong to indigenous groups. In recent years there has been impressive progress with persuading bonded labourers to leave their landlords and seize the freedom that is rightfully theirs.

In most cases entire families are bonded when parents have had to borrow as little a 1,000-5,000 rupees (US$21-$110) for such necessities as food and medicine. Since the late 1980s, growing numbers have become aware of their rights under the 1976 Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act thanks to the activities of such organisations as Jan Jagriti Kendra (JJK -- People's Awareness Centre). Their efforts in helping to find alternatives so bonded labourers can stay free once they have left their landlord, have been central to its success in persuading bonded labourers to report their status to the court and that they need to be released.

One of the former bonded labourers I met was Mathura. She became bonded 12 years ago, when her parents had to take a loan from their landlord and later when she married a bonded labourer. For seven years, she worked long hours in the fields and cleaned the landlord's house receiving no pay in return. Five years ago, she filed an affidavit and has been free ever since.

Although this crucial step may sound simple, former bonded labourers said the risks were great. Among the obstacles they face are losing their job. Landlords make it difficult for them to get new ones, thereby forcing them to return to bondage.

But Mathura was only able to take this step because she became aware of state social assistance available to people living below the poverty line. By having access to subsidised medicine and grain, she was not forced to borrow from the landlord, who would demand her labour in exchange.

Although state subsidies for the very poor exist across India, in many areas landlords use their influence to have government resources diverted. This ensures people stay dependent on them and leaves them with no other choice but to borrow from the landlord.

JJK began raising awareness in these areas over 12 years ago. Since then, hundreds of bonded labourers have been freed and some have become activists, informing others of their rights and of the options that are available.

Mathura has been an activist for more than six years. Knowing her rights and the fact that there can be alternatives, she helps other bonded labourers become free. "Since being released, freedom is so dear, even though life is hard. Now we can work when we want. Before we had to do whatever the landlord dictated. Now we agree the length of the workday and can send our children to school," she said.

Today, she and her husband identify bonded labourers, raise awareness and organise support, such as forming self-help groups, through which former bonded labourers find paid work. By telling her story to those still enslaved, they see that freedom is possible and that a sense of self-confidence can replace the powerlessness that slavery creates.

The Reporter is Anti-Slavery International's quarterly magazine. It is available to all members free of charge. By receiving the Reporter you will keep informed of the latest issues of slavery around the world, in-depth features and new developments in the fight to end slavery.