A multi-stakeholder coalition is needed against human trafficking to create a true impact. A global multi-million business of human trafficking can only be curbed by collective efforts of the legislature, judiciary and executive, civil society and non-government organisations.

Caritas India and its partners are working with local communities in strengthening mechanisms to prevent human trafficking. In Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the program works with various departments and law enforcement units to liberate and restore human dignity to the victims of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

On 2nd December 2021, Rev. Fr. Jolly, Assistant Executive Director (AED) Caritas India and Ms. Leeza, Anti Human Trafficking (AHT) & Migration, Thematic Manager, had a monitoring field visit to AHT vicinities under NEDAN Foundation. Caritas India and NEDAN Chairperson had a short meeting before the field visit and the chairperson briefed the organization thrust areas and initiatives. 

The visit was made to nearby two villages and one destination girls home viz: Bharatnagar, Baganpara, and Chandrapara under Kochugoan block in Kokrajhar District, BTR Assam respectively. It was accompanied by the organization’s Chairperson Dr. Digambar Narzary and the AHT Project team.  

The management team had interaction with the village headman, Village vigilant committees (VVCs) Village Level Child Protection Committees and adolescent groups and girl leaders. Altogether, there were around 600 gathered for the interaction from all the locations. 

The interaction with Bharatnagar and Baganpara had two different dimensions. The former was with issues and challenges of trafficking and untoward incidences whereas the latter was focused on the evils and disadvantages of child marriages and the importance of education. Headman also spoke on the need for cooperation if we have to develop the community. Until and unless we have this, it is difficult. The interaction gave glimpses of the need to focus and work for addressing dropout as the root cause of human trafficking and unsafe migration which is illiteracy and social exclusion of forest dwellers tribal communities. 

Two systems of approach in combating child trafficking is the creation of community-based safety net; which is like; VVC and adolescence club-formation and strengthening as a community-based reporting of any child rights violations taking place in the respective forest villages. 

Caritas India also conducted a half-yearly physical review of the AHT III partners of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on 3rd December 2021 at Northeast Diocesan Social Service Society (NEDSSS). 

Members present for the review meeting were Fr. Jolly, Ms.Leeza, Zonal Team, partner Directors, Project team members. The review highlighted the key engagements and achievements of the partners during the last six months.

Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, AED during the opening remark spoke on the human dignity-human right, social justice, partnerships and accountability aspects. He highlighted the SDGs and the contribution that we make to achieve the SDG Goals. He drew reflections on the social, economic and ecological dimensions of the program.

Ms. Leeza shared about the means and the approach to combat human trafficking as per the UNODCs of the 4 Ps. Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership. Further, she articulated the need to focus and work at the higher level as per the proposed outcome.