Experts estimate nearly 20,000 women and children were trafficked in India in 2016 (Reuters, 2016). Child marriage, which is regarded as a form of trafficking, is also a massive concern in India. Almost 27% of Indian female population are married off by the time they reach adulthood (UNICEF, 2018).
Though the various state police departments, a number of NGO’s and social groups are trying hard to curb this menace to society, it is far from easy to control it in a vast country like India. While police departments struggle to communicate with their counterparts miles away in some other state, the centre has done little to bolster up the funds or resources needed to counter this issue. The NGOs can only work on an issue if they receive sufficient fund to operate. The problem does not limit itself within the act of trafficking, but is also found to be extended within the society. Various social stigmas are found attached to it. Many a cases are not even reported to the police for fear of public shaming. None of the political groups are willing to take up this issue, which further hinders the progress.
Campaign March Against Bride Trafficking 2018
By Empower People.
Amidst this situation, Empower People, an NGO based out of Delhi working with victims and potential victims of human trafficking had sent a team led by activist Shafiq R Khan, to travel 8000 kms across India by car; visiting 8 states for a campaign named March Against Bride Trafficking 2018.
Their objectives:
To understand what problems the police face when handling cases and try to figure out solutions Engage in public activities with the local police to spread awareness on trafficking and information on how to reach out Reach out to socio-political groups and invite them to join in with them for the war against trafficking. To promote their helpline 011 300 102 11 launched for any stakeholder to guide them on how to handle different cases of trafficking.
They set out on their journey on 21st March from Diphu in Assam and aim to end their movement by 1st June in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. While they were on their way through Kolkata covering West Bengal, we joined them for a couple of days to get an inside perspective on the matter. A Delhite from Bihar, team leader Shafiq was accompanied by Salem Khan, tour coordinator and activist from Mewar; Prikshit Sharma, music composer and activist from Shimla; photo journalist Elena Del Estal from Spain and Gitesh Kaushik a PhD student from Haryana. This campaign, organized by Empower People, is powered by crowd funding and individual donors. Just as they were about to leave Kolkata on 16th April we tagged along.
“It is not our job to catch traffickers as NGOs. It is the polices’ job. Our job is to make police aware of the actions or steps to be taken for different cases against trafficking in its different stages. And also to get them in touch with different departments for the operation to be a success”
Empower People has launched a helpline dedicated to give the police step by step assistance during or after the recovery of any trafficked victim. 011 300 102 11 is the helpline number which has been launched, not for the public, but for any stakeholder who is dealing with a case of trafficking. The NGO tries to plug the gaps in the system discussed earlier through the helpline creating the missing network between different police departments to deal with the problems on trafficking. Shafiq thinks that the police is not to be blamed about the situation. “This is not the only issue the police have to solve. There are a million other things they have to take care of.” That is why in is not possible for the police to know everything especially, in a country like India, where they have to face a variety of challenges. “We work on trafficking and rescue operations; that’s why we know a lot more about it. The Police also needs support and we are providing them that.” he added.
Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Mr. Kailash Karmali of East Singbhum district was of the opinion that with the help of NGOs the Police can save a lot of time making each rescue more efficient and effective. The main areas where most trafficked victims are ending up are Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Shafiq says, “We are creating a network between the source locations and the target location for the police to work effectively. The government is making law after law to counter the issue of trafficking which is making it more confusing for the people who actually work on ground. Our job here is to understand what difficulties the police face while working on cases and solve them.”
Interaction with Socio-Political Groups
We went to the I.C.C Workers Union for the next part of the campaign as one of the major objectives of MABT2018 is to get involved with social and political groups on the topic of trafficking. Joining in with a social group in the fight against trafficking is a much more promising prospect as you get a readymade team to work on the issue; all with the common objective of working for the betterment of the human kind. Shafiq says, “If someone wants to do good for the society or wants some popularity, he might as well work on a humanitarian cause like trafficking!”
General Secretary of ICC Workers Union Mr. Om Prakash Singh thinks, “Even if a case of trafficking is on the newspaper, people just read about it and then move on to the next story. Nobody really does anything about it.” Shafiq says, “Trafficking has to become a political issue for people to discuss it openly.” It is also true that making trafficking a political issue will bring the news in the forefront; thus spreading awareness among the common public.
Public-Police interaction for Awareness Program
We made our way to Tatanagar Railway Junction for a public interaction program. The station was chosen as a perfect podium as most of the trafficking operations are done through the railway network. The volunteers started approaching people for awareness purposes handing out cards with helpline numbers. While a handful of people took interest, most of them didn’t have time or the will to discuss about the topic. Banners were put up in front of the RPF office inside the station and sound systems were set up, but it still failed to attract any audience or any sort of participation from the public. Hence the event had to be called off.
When we started, little did we know or guess how deep rooted the problems are. It was clear that such a vast issue nationwide would take enormous amount of effort both at organizational and individual level to curb.
Link: http://www.empowerpeople.org.in/