Keep children safe from traffickers in India

Dear Global Givers,

We are thrilled to share some of our success stories from the ground. Every8Minutes has been supporting Rapid Action For Human Advancement Tradition (RAHAT) since 2013. RAHAT, a local NGO working on the issues of human rights and child trafficking is based out of Kishanganj district in India’s state of Bihar. Kishanganj is a vulnerable area as it shares its international border with Nepal and is also known to be a source and a destination for child trafficking.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, every 8 minutes a child goes missing in India, of which, 40% of those children haven’t been found. Your dedication and support is crucial at a time where 55% per cent of those missing are girls and 45% of all missing children have remained untraceable as yet raising fears of them having been either killed or pushed into begging or prostitution rackets.

RAHAT recently conducted a seminar for school girls and teachers belonging to lower middle-class families from semi-urban/rural areas to promote awareness on the dangers of child trafficking. Lately, child trafficking is increasing at an alarming rate in India. During the seminar, important helpline numbers were shared with the participants, such as women and children helpline numbers, women’s police station and general police station. The seminar addressed safety and security issues amongst girls and young women.

Arpita (name changed) 18 is a Dalit (untouchables) and lives in Kishanganj. She comes from an extremely poor background with very low family income with no access to basic amenities. There is a lack of social awareness amongst her community and educating girls is given very little importance. Arpita had aspirations to study and wanted a better life for her and her family.

Arpita was rescued before she was taken to Delhi to be sold to a brothel. Poor girls like Arpita are easily duped by agents on the pretext of finding them good jobs, food, and clothes in metro cities. Arpita was rescued by RAHAT with the help of the women’s police station and admitted in the short stay home run by RAHAT for rescued victims. After providing counseling, Arpita was sent back to her home where she is now safe.

“I am thankful to Every8Minutes and Rahat for rescuing me. I don’t want to even imagine what my life would have turned out to be if I was not rescued. I now feel confident after the counseling session at the transit home. It is difficult to go back to pursue education because my family cannot afford it, but I am trying to find a job so that I can help my parents.” – Arpita 

Every8Minutes is also excited to announce the launch of a national campaign on Child Trafficking during the 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women and Girls, 25 November – 10 December. Every8Minutes is collaborating with Missing, a public art project started by Leena Kejriwal. Leena is a photographer, an installation artist, and a social activist. The national campaign will be implemented in eight cities across India by 10 NGOs working on the issues of child trafficking and education.

Do continue to lend us your support and solidarity in our fight to end the menace of child trafficking which is rapidly spreading from not just within the country but also to other foreign countries.

With deep gratitude,

iPartner India Team

Dear Global Givers,

In the run up to the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking of Persons, 30 July 2015, Every8Minutes spread the message against the horrors of trafficking across India. We interacted with public, state authorities, police, legislators, corporations and network partners to strengthen our resolve to take a united stand to support and protect victims of trafficking. To pursue justice and dignity of all those children who go missing on a daily basis by prosecuting their traffickers.

Human trafficking is in the news for the sheer scale and complexity of the crime. It is estimated to be a $32 billion industry. Yet, your support, to one child makes that difference between life and death for her. This is why, we cannot thank you enough for taking up this battle as your personal fight.

Seventeen girls, rescued from trafficked lives, for the first time in so many months, went for a day long sightseeing trip around Guwahati town in Assam. They had a simple desire to experience freedom like hundreds of other girls their age. All of them reside at the transit home, run by our partner organisation Nedan Foundation. The girls visited the zoo, famous for single horned rhinoceros, and the Kamakhya temple.

For the girls, it was a phenomenal opportunity to reclaim public space without fear of getting beaten up and dragged back into brothels, dark police stations and evil abusive adults controlling them. 

Mansi (name changed) 21, was a part of this group. She worked as a domestic help since childhood. Married at sixteen, within a year her husband had deserted her. Hungry and penniless, with a baby in her arms, she wandered around looking for work and wanting to give up her daughter to anyone who was willing to feed the baby. She landed in Jalpaiguri, a border town nearing Bangladesh where a trafficker spotted her.  With a promise for work in Kolkata and a safe life, Mansi was on a train with him, when she was rescued by the railway police in Guwahati.  Swift action by the Child Welfare Committee of the area helped her find a place to stay. In March this year, she was welcomed by the Nedan Foundation transit home. Mansi is now enrolled in the school drop-out programme. She also works part time for Nedan.

Nedan Foundation is based out of one of the most risky trafficking source districts of India – Kokrajhar in Assam. A group of fiercely committed professionals, they fight to protect girls and women against domestic violence, sex trafficking, child prostitution, child labour and bride trafficking.

At Nedan Foundation, all victims of trafficking receive immediate counselling, legal aid and medical help. Many victims stay at the home for a long period, engaging in education, livelihoods training, computers and other trade skills and recreation. Many of them have returned to their families and running small businesses or working to support themselves. 

"I am so happy to be part of Nedan's family. I recently went to Guwahati with my friends from the home to celebrate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. We had a great time. For the first time I feel accepted for who I am. I have made many new friends and I no longer feel alone in my struggle. I have also started saving money so that I can take care of my child's education. I hope one day I will find a soul mate and get married." Mansi

 Every8Minutes continues its fight to speak out and collaborate with organizations like Nedan Foundation, who are tirelessly working to put an end to this horrific crime. The organizations and individuals face eminent threats from organized crime syndicates when they try to free young women and girls who are trapped in the dark world of trafficking. 

We urge you to continue to support us in our struggle to fight against human trafficking. Your support gives us the moral courage to continue doing our work.  

With deep gratitude,

iPartner India Team