Exchange of Individuals either forcibly or willingly for labour, prostitution or any other purpose is called human trafficking and the individual who is trafficked would either get work or money in return. Its 21st century version of Slavery. Article 23 of Indian constitution prohibits any kind human exploitation. Numerous laws and regulations in India prohibits any kind of trafficking. Thus making it illegal and punishable offence.
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| Human Trafficking |
Human Trafficking Reasons, Prevention and Way Forward
According to latest report by various NGOs who are working on preventing Trafficking says that nearly 21 children in India are daily trafficked. This number is increasing since the pandemic. This are shocking numbers as there are various laws and organisations who are working to prevent this.
Increase in such incidence is due to following reasons:-
1) The ability of poor families to take care of their children has reduced to due pandemic and lockdown. Their main source of income is lost due to this pandemic.
2) Due to death or any kind of disease (Also COVID-19) of parents or earning member of the family this childrens and womens are at higher risk of abuse
3) Due to digitization of various things this traffickers gives fake and misleading advertisement to attract these youths for jobs or any kind of income sources. Thus these innocents fall in trap of these traffickers.
4) Changes in laws and regulations of child labour and child marriage due to pandemic has increased the risk for this childrens and womens of being abused by the traffickers.
5) Taking disadvantage of the poor financial condition of these womens and girls they force them to work in prostitution business.
6) In some cases mentally ill children and womens are sold by their parents to this traffickers for money.
All this are reasons for increased cases of trafficking. However poor financial condition is the most important reason above all.
Trafficking of Childrens
Bonded labour of children in work place like factories, hotels, public places is also common. The reason why this childrens are the first priority of these work places are childrens can be paid minimum amount as they can't fight for their rights. They can be forced to work for more than 10-12 hours a day. They can be trained to do any kind of work except technical ones. Childrens are easy victims of these traffickers for these reason.
Trafficking of Women's
Women's and girls of poor families are more prone to get trafficked for prostitutions. Traffickers pay good amount these families or make false promises that they will give jobs to these womens and girls. Latter they sell them for the purpose of prostitution business. If these womens are not rescued they will spend rest of their life there. Inspite of lots of rules and regulations there are thousands of womens who are trafficked annually. Although many are rescued by police and administration but many are not lucky in these cases.
Worst cases of trafficking is seen where these victims are used for their organs. However there is an rapid decline in such cases due to strict administrative rules and regulations. These is crime but as a human being we fail when these type of cases comes across us. Trafficking is not good as it not only violates the fundamental right (Article 21) of the individual but also creates a divide between such womens, childrens and those living a normal life.
How to Prevent Human Trafficking?
There are plenty of laws and rules at central and state level to prevent such acts. However due to loopholes in the system and administration enough proof against this traffickers is not available to prove them culprit. In such cases they get released. Also due to corruption at ground level they get easily released without any FIR against them. We cannot deny that NGOs are working hard to prevent trafficking and it is due to them that there is an considerable reduction in such cases.
To reduce trafficking not only government agencies and police should work effectively but also citizens should work together with local administration and NGOs. Any suspicious movement of group of childrens or womens should be questioned and if found suspicious it should be reported to nearest police station. If we find any children working in harsh working conditions we should ask them for help. Small actions by all of us can make huge difference which will result in decline of such cases.
Way Forward
Firstly we should teach about illegal exploitation to this childrens and womens. In case of poor financial condition we should handover this victims to related NGOs who will look after them till they get some good source of income for their livelihood. In case of any children or women missing we should circulate helpline number through digital platforms and newspaper. One should report this to police so that they also become active about this.
Only to Rescue this victims is not enough. We should work towards providing them justice by putting their grievances before the Court. Government should work more efficiently towards it. Establishing fast track courts where there case should be heard quickly providing them quick justice. This will be an good initiative as "Right to Life" of this victims is hugely violated. Forcing someone to work against there will either as bonded labour or in prostitution is a huge crime.
Government should work on Rehabilitation of this Victims. Childrens (Girls/Boys) who are rescued should be given free education under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and Womens should be given skill development training under Pradhan mantri Kaushal vikash Yojana. This will help them building there future. This skills will help them to get good work under good condition. Online and print media can play a vital role in reducing such cases. Regular showcasing of trafficking cases, rehabilitation of victims will not only motivate these victims to stand against this traffickers but also encourage and make people aware about this incidences. This will help in reducing this cases across the country.
