Human Trafficking sets a threat to the peace and security of a country. It weakens the rule of law, deprives millions of their dignity and freedom, threatens public safety and enhances transnational crimes and terrorism. Worldwide countries are taking ardent measures to curb this menace.

Every year National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed on 11th January. This day is dedicated to promoting awareness on human trafficking among all those who are susceptible to it. Caritas India’s Swaraksha Anti-Human Trafficking Programme (AHT) Partners Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGVS) and DEHAT in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community folks conducted an awareness programme on Human trafficking. The partners intended to sensitize all responsible actors and communities so that actions could be taken jointly to curb trafficking. Both the partners successfully observed this event in a meaningful way where PGSS invited the Senior police official Shri. Surya bali Maurya, circle officer of Nichlol region.

Caritas India’s Swaraksha AHT Programme for the last five years has consistently focused on saving the lives of innocent people who are exposed to be a victim of Human Trafficking at the Indo-Nepal border. Every year more than 35,000 victims of Human trafficking are transported from Nepal to India through the porous borders and used for organ trade, domestic servitude, prostitution and other exploitative trades.
Lack of awareness of trafficking has noted to be among the leading cause of trafficking. Young vulnerable girls are eloped with the false promises of marriage and jobs and transported to metro cities where they are sexually exploited.

During the programme, the partner team members revealed the much uglier picture of Human trafficking that makes it the third largest crime worldwide in terms of numbers after drugs and weapons. The partner team spoke of the grave mental and physical trauma the traffickers unleash on their victims. The facilitator cautioned the participants to avoid all types of unsafe migration and keep themselves away from any kind of “quick money-making opportunities” at unknown places without prior inquiry of the employer and the work.

Law enforcement agencies representative from the Anti-human trafficking Units of Sashastra Seema Bal and UP Police also interacted with the participants and shared their valuable views on the issue. They recommended that to prevent being trafficked, one should always be on alert especially when one is planning to go outside to earn a livelihood. Before this transiting, every individual should ensure their safety of work and enquire whether the employer is genuine or a hack. Circle officer of the Nichlol area shared that Human trafficking is very much connected to poverty and illiteracy and hence we need to create extensive awareness among all to obliterate it from society effectively.

The involvement of different stakeholders including law enforcement agencies in the awareness programme bought together crucial perspectives and opinions on challenges related to human trafficking in the current scenario. Caritas India Partners PGSS and DEHAT connected to all stakeholders including media, police, border forces and community during this special day which was observed across the globe as National Day and month of Awareness against Human trafficking.