Trafficking- when will it get abolished?
Trafficking- when will it get abolished?
on July 30 World Day Against Trafficking was observed. It has been observed every year to raise awareness in human trafficking aiming to put pressure on governments, law enforcement agencies and civil society to strengthen the prevention of trafficking.
Observing the seriousness of the problem, UN noted, “Trafficking in persons is a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims.”
Human trafficking, one of the worst forms of human rights violations. It is nothing but exploitation of vulnerability, and mostly of those who expose their vulnerability. Human trafficking, as an organised crime, is growing at a rapid pace. No country, irrespective of whether they are part of G20 or not, can claim to be trafficking free.
In India the situation is graver. According to the report, the top three states with highest number of human trafficking incidents based on number of cases reported are West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat and the top three states with highest number of human trafficking incidents based on crime rates are West Bengal, Daman and Diu and Goa.
Assam had the highest rates of crime against women in India in 2021 with about 168 crimes reported for every 100,000 women. Among the union territories, Delhi had a crime rate against women of 147.
Goa has the highest rate of human trafficking cases per lakh population, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2021 revealed. According to the data compiled by the NCRB, Goa records case of human trafficking per lakh population as against the national average of 0.2cases.
US is also not behind. California witnessed the largest number of human trafficking cases (1,334), making it the worst state for human trafficking. Particularly, Los Angeles is regarded as a high-intensity child exploitation area.
Human trafficking in India, is a grave issue. It involves the illegal trade of women and girls for various exploitative purposes, such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and even organ selling. This criminal activity violates basic human rights and has a devastating impact on the lives of the victims.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of women trafficking in India:
Economic disparities and lack of education push vulnerable individuals, particularly women and girls, into vulnerable situations, making them easy targets for traffickers.
Gender Inequality is another deep-rooted discrimination in Indian society lead to the devaluation of women’s lives, making them more susceptible to exploitation and trafficking.
Limited access to education, especially for girls in some regions, exacerbates their vulnerability, as they are less aware of their rights and the dangers associated with trafficking.
Moreover, inadequate implementation and enforcement of anti-trafficking laws contribute to the growth of trafficking networks.
Internal migration in search of better opportunities can expose women to risks, making them susceptible to trafficking networks.
The Indian government and various NGOs are actively working to combat women trafficking. Legislation like the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) aim to protect women and children from trafficking and sexual exploitation. Additionally, initiatives such as rescue operations, rehabilitation centers, and awareness campaigns play a crucial role in addressing this issue.
However, despite these efforts, women trafficking remains a persistent problem in India. It requires continued commitment from the government, civil society, and international community to address its root causes and protect the rights of women and girls.
