Three days campaign on Wheels to create awareness

In the midst of COVID-19 crisis, the important role of first responders has become even more important, particularly as the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have made their work even more difficult. Still, their contribution is often overlooked and unrecognized. The 2020 theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was to focus on the first responders to human trafficking, who work in different sectors identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking, and challenging the impunity of the traffickers.

On the world day against trafficking in persons, Caritas India with her partners organized the three days awareness campaign. The purpose of this campaign was to create awareness and sensitize people on human trafficking and how to prevent themselves from being trafficked. COVID-19 has forced people to return to their villages. As per the government data, more than 30 lakh migrant workers have returned back in Uttar Pradesh. And these migrant workers and their families are more vulnerable to get trafficked. Hence, the campaign on wheels covered more than 100 villages telling the people about human trafficking and also on government schemes for migrant workers especially the Garib Kalyan Yojana so that returnee migrants can avail the benefits given by the central and state government. The campaign reached out to 15 lakh people through songs, audio messages, leaflets, handbills, posters and banners against human trafficking and government schemes.

The campaign also involved Sahastra Seema Bal, Police from bordering villages of India and Nepal, child parliament members and youth groups. Children participated in drawing competition which had messages against human trafficking.

Webinar to acknowledge the Frontline responders

As the theme of this year focused on frontline responders, Caritas India organized the webinar to acknowledge the great work done by the frontline responders- law enforcement agencies, SSB, network members, NGOs, our partners, their staff, who work tirelessly to save lives and promote dignity of every human being,  discuss on the Ministry of Home Affairs advisory which has come out on 6^th July and build collaboration with stakeholders.

Fr. Jolly Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India said that Caritas India wants to bring each stakeholder together for collective actions against the crime during this pandemic time. He also focused on the current Human trafficking trends in the country and across the Globe. He extended warm welcome to all Participants for joining the webinar and anticipated their support in the future.

Ms Leeza, Manager, Caritas India presented the advisory issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI related to preventing and combating human trafficking. The guideline emphasizes on setting up the Anti Human Trafficking Unit in all the districts of the States and UTs. This also focuses on collaboration and coordination between various departments and stakeholders. There has to be whole of government approach to combat human trafficking.

Mr. Surendra Kumar IPS, IGP Assam said that this MHA Guideline is a source of inspiration to all of us to work at this Covid-19 time where a lot of Joint actions are required to address the issue of Human Trafficking in the country. He shared that they have close networking in the state with different stakeholders and there is a good medium of exchange of information to all the team members related to any case and this helps in taking prompt actions. He suggested that Synergy is very much required in the work against human trafficking. He said that awareness is one of the important actions to address and prevent the venerable peoples from being trafficked. Some of the initiatives taken by Assam police are women help desk, village defence parties, awareness and sensitization, setting up and strengthening AHTUs.

Ms. Gargi Saha, Child Protection Officer from UNICEF, Bihar shared her work experiences towards promoting the rights of the children. She presented the current COVID-19 scenario which has made children more vulnerable.  She reiterated on the multistakeholder response which is key to addressing the issues like child trafficking, child labour and child abuse. She said that the role of youth is very important, and they need to be oriented. UNICEF has 40,000 adolescent groups in Bihar. As a way forward she suggested to work towards victim protection, taking preventive measures, and create a common platform of stakeholders through continued capacity building of RPF/GRP, Police/AHTUs, CHILDLINE and CSO partners.

Mr. John Animesh Gomes from International Justice Mission focused on the role of civil societies. He said that Civil Societies play a vital role when we talk of addressing any issue. According to him role of civil society is very broad under which it has to work on prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, prosecution, capacity building coordination, partnership, generating and publishing knowledge and mainstreaming human trafficking in action plans of the government. Civil society can play an important role to strengthen the law enforcement agencies.

Ms. Rashi, Caritas India moderated the open session quoting Article 23 of the Indian Constitution which prohibits the traffic in human beings and forced labour. She cited on the push and pull factors aggravating the issue of trafficking more complex in the states like Bihar and North East where flood along with Covid-19 has made the situation grimmer.

Mr. Jitendra from DEHAT, one of the partners of Caritas India shared the challenges of Covid-19 especially at bordering villages of Indo-Nepal border. As the migrant workers have returned the threat of unsafe migration can be seen in the coming months. He shared they are continuing to support people, create awareness on human trafficking, government schemes, linking people with government schemes and entitlements. Through their interventions, 9 FIR of human trafficking cases has been filed.

Sr. Prema from Purvanchal Pragati Samaj, Assam, cited their network initiative with Hope Charitable Foundation and North East Indian Bishops Commission for Ecumenism. They have formed the helpline number to support the migrant workers. 90% of calls were from men and young boys. She also shared that according to the information shared to her there are cases of organ trade during COVID-19.

Mr. T. Jose from Justice Ventures International focused on the convergence saying that Human Trafficking can be addressed in collaboration. And this is where we can achieve success in our mission towards combating trafficking in persons.

Mr. Rajesh Upadhyay, Caritas India shared the way forward plan and reiterated on the collaboration between civil Society Organization and the government which needs to be strengthened. He also emphasized on the use of technology like tracking missing children, mobile messaging, ensuring the migrant data and MIS system.  Public awareness, knowledge building and including anti-human trafficking agenda in different interventions are very important. Cross border network should be focused and strengthened to address transnational trafficking in persons. Caritas India will work together with all the stakeholders to prevent human trafficking and protect trafficked victims.

The webinar concluded with a vote thanks by Animesh Williams, Program Officer, Caritas India.