How Can Child Trafficking be Prevented in India

17/06/16

Child Protection

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Human trafficking remains a challenge in India, with an estimated 2,00,000 people trafficked annually, according to government and NGO reports. However, India is making significant strides in combating this issue through stronger laws, awareness programs, and community initiatives.

Here are some critical measures to prevent this social evil in India.

1. Foster the spread of education

India has the world’s biggest education system, yet sees low literacy due to poor enrolment and high dropout rates – resulting in people having lack of opportunities. Uneducated parents are easily convinced by conmen to give them a better life in the city (a very common ruse for trafficking). Educated children and their families are much more aware, alert and mature, and they can comprehend the risks of child trafficking quite well. Compassionate and understanding teachers guide children and parents to find opportunities for higher growth and employment, creating a community driven by ambition where traffickers cannot thrive.

2. Spread awareness among parents and communities

Lack of awareness can create situations that traffickers can exploit. A lot of India’s poor children find themselves trapped in substance abuse which can further lead to them getting trafficked. Educated communities are capable of understanding, and effectively responding to the various ways traffickers source children. Aware of their rights as Indian citizens, and opportunities for growth, education, employment, and enterprise, these communities can stand strong. Community events, using sports, arts and theatre are being used by civil society to educate communities about vital services as well as opportunities they can explore. Grassroot activism assists communities to fight poverty and exploitation, the basis of trafficking. NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat are empowering communities by creating income resources, educational resources, and enabling them to get access to information services.

3. Strict laws in place to prevent child trafficking

Effective policy making is critical to reform. NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat constantly research, document, and showcase findings of the need for reforms and engage with various government agencies, urging them to have better legislation in place for tackling child trafficking. Many cases have been filed under the recent Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act (2012) and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, which have successfully translated into increased convictions, demonstrating how legislation can curb child trafficking.

4. Encouraging business to not use child labour

An ecosystem for child trafficking gets silent approval when demand for child labour is commonly used in businesses like retail, hospitality, etc. NGOs have established a dialogue to sensitise trade organisations to end this social evil that will save them a few rupees. At the same time, locals have been made vigilant to report instances of child labour at businesses, so that it is actively discouraged.

5. Why you must support an NGO like Bal Raksha Bharat in the fight against trafficking

Education initiatives:

• Creates Inclusive Learning Friendly Environments’ in intervention schools in slums and villages
• Maps of out-of-school children and works for their movement into schools.
• Made it possible for families with limited means to send their children to school and provide admissions assistance
• Promoting use of child-friendly and interactive teaching-learning methods
• Forming Children Groups wherein children are empowered to speak and stand up for their rights

Read Also: Child Labour: A Curse On Our Society

Fighting child trafficking and child labour

Along with a lasting dialogue with vulnerable communities, the NGO has made outreach to state and national level governance to address child trafficking, including working with Police departments of states. Bal Raksha Bharat has successfully withdrawn 50,000 child domestic workers from domestic help, and in 2015 rescued 9337 children from child labour.

Child safety

The NGO regularly creates safe spaces and provisions education supplies to enable children to continue with their schooling after disasters, and stay safe from traffickers who prey on their vulnerability. Donate to NGO today to contribute your bit in making India’s vulnerable children safe.

Conclusion

While challenges remain, India’s multi-stakeholder approach, including government policies, law enforcement, NGOs, and community action, is making a difference. Strengthening grassroots awareness, stricter enforcement, and survivor rehabilitation can create a future free from human trafficking. Child rights NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Bal Raksha Bharat) are a driving force in resolving such issues. Child trafficking is a major social menace and the best way to deal with it is through following the “prevention is better than cure” approach.

Gaurav Sharma

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