Human Trafficking

The Government of India is confident of their anti-trafficking cell and the measures they take to penalise trafficking (7 years of imprisonment under the ITPA, i.e. Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act). In India, women and children are trafficked on the grounds of forced marriages, sexual exploitation, child labour, domestic work etc.

As we sit in our cozy nests, somebody gets trafficked. The ongoing pandemic has affected some of these unfortunate souls severely on their domestic fronts. Cooped up inside their respective homes, they are vulnerable targets who have been victims of assault and abuse. Economic deprivation is notably one of the main causes. Unable to feed too many children, the father sells the oldest daughter while he forces the son to work long, dreary hours in the tannery. Selling off the infant in lieu of money that will help buy dinner is not unheard of either. Trafficking and poverty go hand in hand with each other. The impoverished consider the vulnerable members as an unwanted burden—lack of awareness, sensitisation and training further this disillusionment. Providing financial aid and educating the common mass about their fundamental rights, sex education etc. will slowly induce in them the power to question and resist. Informing them about the Anti Trafficking Cell as well as bringing attention to other helpline numbers will help them protect themselves in the face of danger. The problem at hand is gigantic, but must be addressed at once to be dealt with.