Keep children safe from traffickers in India

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