TRAFFICKING IN TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN AND WOMEN AND

CHILDRENCHILDREN

B R SIWALB R SIWAL

NIPCCDNIPCCD

Email : br_siwal@yahoo.comEmail : br_siwal@yahoo.com

Trafficking in personsTrafficking in persons

Trafficking in persons shall mean the Trafficking in persons shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receiptharbouring or receipt of persons, by of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or means of the threat or use of force or other form of coercion, of abduction, other form of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payment or benefits to receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the consent of a person achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.for the purpose of exploitation.

Exploitation shall include, at a Exploitation shall include, at a prostitution or other forms of prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of servitude or the removal of organsorgans; ;

Indian scenario:Indian scenario:

  Trafficking operations are Trafficking operations are clandestine and streamlined to clandestine and streamlined to the extent that it is difficult to the extent that it is difficult to obtain proof of the crime. obtain proof of the crime.

Studies have shown that there is Studies have shown that there is a nexus betweena nexus betweenperpetrators police and at times, perpetrators police and at times, even legal systemseven legal systems

India is a source, transit, and destination India is a source, transit, and destination country for women, children, and men country for women, children, and men trafficked for the purposes of sexual and trafficked for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation.labor exploitation.

Indian men and women are placed into Indian men and women are placed into situations of coerced labor and sometimes situations of coerced labor and sometimes slave-like conditions in countries in the slave-like conditions in countries in the Middle East Middle East

Bangladeshi women and children are Bangladeshi women and children are trafficked to India or transit through India trafficked to India or transit through India en route to Pakistan and the Middle East for en route to Pakistan and the Middle East for purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor. servitude, and forced labor.

According to statistics, about 300,000 According to statistics, about 300,000 Bangladeshi women and children have been Bangladeshi women and children have been trafficked to India and 200,000 to Pakistan trafficked to India and 200,000 to Pakistan while about 200,000 Nepalese women are while about 200,000 Nepalese women are estimated to be working in Indian cities - 30 estimated to be working in Indian cities - 30 percent are thought to be girls.percent are thought to be girls.

• • Nepalese women and girls are trafficked to Nepalese women and girls are trafficked to India for sexual exploitation, domestic India for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced labor. India is also a servitude, and forced labor. India is also a growing destination for sex tourists from growing destination for sex tourists from Europe, the United States, and other Western Europe, the United States, and other Western countries. Internal trafficking of women, men, countries. Internal trafficking of women, men, and children for purposes of sexual and children for purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, bonded exploitation, domestic servitude, bonded labor, and indentured servitude is labor, and indentured servitude is widespread.widespread.

Every year, 5,000 to 7,000 women and children Every year, 5,000 to 7,000 women and children from Nepal are trafficked into India for forced from Nepal are trafficked into India for forced prostitution. 20% (i.e. 40,000) of trafficked prostitution. 20% (i.e. 40,000) of trafficked Nepali women and children for sex trade in India Nepali women and children for sex trade in India are girls below 16 years of age.are girls below 16 years of age.

• • Except for sex trade, thousands of Nepali Except for sex trade, thousands of Nepali children are trafficked into India to work in children are trafficked into India to work in carpet factories in Bhadoi (Mirjapur), circus (e.g. carpet factories in Bhadoi (Mirjapur), circus (e.g. Firojabad), potato farms, road construction in Firojabad), potato farms, road construction in Shimla, forced beggary (e.g.. Banaras), domestic Shimla, forced beggary (e.g.. Banaras), domestic child labour in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc.child labour in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc.

Demystifying the belief that only girls from Demystifying the belief that only girls from specific geographical area and community are specific geographical area and community are being trafficked, this crime has expanded to being trafficked, this crime has expanded to every area and community including boys and every area and community including boys and men.men.

The traffickers The traffickers

The traffickers are organized in a The traffickers are organized in a variety of ways. Trafficking variety of ways. Trafficking occurs through small scale occurs through small scale informal networks as well as in informal networks as well as in international well organized international well organized industries with tight links to industries with tight links to Mafia groups and international Mafia groups and international criminal networkscriminal networks

Trafficked for what Trafficked for what purposes?purposes?

Labour exploitation:Labour exploitation:

Children may be trafficked to work on Children may be trafficked to work on plantations, in mines or in other plantations, in mines or in other hazardous conditions, such as hazardous conditions, such as handling chemicals and pesticides or handling chemicals and pesticides or operating dangerous machinery. They operating dangerous machinery. They are often kept isolated within are often kept isolated within destination and are fearful of destination and are fearful of reporting the abusive work conditions reporting the abusive work conditions to authorities.to authorities.

In certain cases, children are In certain cases, children are trafficked into trafficked into bonded labourbonded labour. The . The family typically receives an family typically receives an advance payment, often structured advance payment, often structured so that ‘expenses’ or ‘interest’ are so that ‘expenses’ or ‘interest’ are deducted from a child’s earnings in deducted from a child’s earnings in such amounts that it is nearly such amounts that it is nearly impossible to repay the debt or impossible to repay the debt or ‘buy back’ the child‘buy back’ the child

Domestic workDomestic work

Parents and children are often Parents and children are often lured by promises of education or a lured by promises of education or a good job. Once trafficked, they may good job. Once trafficked, they may find themselves stripped of their find themselves stripped of their identification papers and lacking identification papers and lacking any support network. They are any support network. They are dependent on their exploiters for dependent on their exploiters for safety, food and shelter, and most safety, food and shelter, and most endure harsh working conditions. endure harsh working conditions.

Sexual exploitation:Sexual exploitation: Children, especially girls, are trafficked Children, especially girls, are trafficked

to work in brothels, massage parlors, to work in brothels, massage parlors, prostitution rings or strip clubs, or prostitution rings or strip clubs, or used to produce pornographic used to produce pornographic materials.,materials.,

ILO global child labour figures for the ILO global child labour figures for the year 2000 estimate that 1.8 million year 2000 estimate that 1.8 million children are exploited in the children are exploited in the commercial sex industry, suffering commercial sex industry, suffering extreme physical, sexual and extreme physical, sexual and psychological violence and abuse by psychological violence and abuse by traffickers, pimps and customers’. traffickers, pimps and customers’.

Military conscription:Military conscription:

It is estimated that child soldiers have It is estimated that child soldiers have been used in more than 30 ongoing or been used in more than 30 ongoing or recent armed conflicts in almost every recent armed conflicts in almost every region of the world. Some children join region of the world. Some children join fighting forces due to poverty or abuse, fighting forces due to poverty or abuse, others are forcibly recruited or others are forcibly recruited or abducted. Children’s roles in conflicts abducted. Children’s roles in conflicts varyvary

They are used as messengers, porters, They are used as messengers, porters, cooks, ‘wives’ who provide sexual cooks, ‘wives’ who provide sexual services or as combatantsservices or as combatants

Marriage:Marriage: Girls are trafficked as brides for various Girls are trafficked as brides for various

reasons. When poverty is acute, a girl reasons. When poverty is acute, a girl may be regarded as an economic may be regarded as an economic burden for her family and her marriage burden for her family and her marriage to an older man may be seen as a to an older man may be seen as a family survival strategy. family survival strategy.

Sometimes, the arrangements made by Sometimes, the arrangements made by male migrants to find wives from their male migrants to find wives from their home regions result in the trafficking of home regions result in the trafficking of child brides. There is a growing demand child brides. There is a growing demand by older men for a young virgin bride, by older men for a young virgin bride, particularly in places where the fear particularly in places where the fear and risk of HIV/AIDS infection is high.and risk of HIV/AIDS infection is high.

Illicit adoption:Illicit adoption:

An increase in demand for An increase in demand for adoption has helped to propel adoption has helped to propel the unlawful trafficking of babies the unlawful trafficking of babies and young children. Sometimes and young children. Sometimes mothers sell their baby or young mothers sell their baby or young child, at other times the infant is child, at other times the infant is stolen and mothers are told the stolen and mothers are told the baby was stillborn.baby was stillborn.

Sports purposes:Sports purposes:

Children, particularly young boys, have Children, particularly young boys, have been trafficked as camel jockeys. been trafficked as camel jockeys.

The use of children as jockeys in camel The use of children as jockeys in camel racing is extremely dangerous and can racing is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury and even death. result in serious injury and even death.

Boys who lose races are often Boys who lose races are often brutalized by their exploiters, deprived brutalized by their exploiters, deprived of their salary and food, and mentally of their salary and food, and mentally and physically abused. and physically abused.

Begging:Begging:

Children may be recruited and Children may be recruited and trafficked to earn money for trafficked to earn money for others by begging or selling others by begging or selling goods on the street. In some goods on the street. In some cases, child beggars are maimed cases, child beggars are maimed by their captors to sympathy and by their captors to sympathy and greater charity. greater charity.

Different Stages of Different Stages of traffickingtrafficking

RecruitmentRecruitment can occur as an act of can occur as an act of physical violence by kidnapping the physical violence by kidnapping the victim, or by threat, or with consent victim, or by threat, or with consent through deception, when a good job through deception, when a good job possibilities are promised or possibilities are promised or implied, or by other forms of implied, or by other forms of coercion such as debt bondage. coercion such as debt bondage.

Abuse of authority plays a role when Abuse of authority plays a role when parents agree to sell a child or when parents agree to sell a child or when anyone who exercises a form of anyone who exercises a form of authority over the victim agrees to authority over the victim agrees to or is involved in trafficking. or is involved in trafficking.

TransportationTransportation

TransportationTransportation may also be forced may also be forced as in the case of kidnapping or as in the case of kidnapping or travel under threat. Agents and travel under threat. Agents and brokers may restrict the brokers may restrict the women’s/girls’ freedom of women’s/girls’ freedom of movement by confiscating their movement by confiscating their passports or identity cards, thus passports or identity cards, thus restricting their independence and restricting their independence and ability to return home. ability to return home.

Sexual harassment and rape may Sexual harassment and rape may also occur during or after also occur during or after transportation. Sometimes, the transportation. Sometimes, the trafficked persons are sold trafficked persons are sold several times to middlemen or several times to middlemen or other agents, before they reach other agents, before they reach their final destination.their final destination.

It is important to note that It is important to note that recruitment and transportation recruitment and transportation may not always be acts of force. may not always be acts of force. Many women and older children Many women and older children are willingly recruited and leave are willingly recruited and leave their places of origin their places of origin

Conditions at final Conditions at final destinationdestination::

trafficked persons are forced or trafficked persons are forced or deceived with the aim of deceived with the aim of exploiting them in abusive, exploiting them in abusive, sometimes slavery-like conditions. sometimes slavery-like conditions.

Many women and girls find Many women and girls find themselves working against their themselves working against their will in exploitative conditions in a will in exploitative conditions in a variety of jobs, such as domestic variety of jobs, such as domestic work, factory work or in the sex work, factory work or in the sex industry industry

They lose their right to decide They lose their right to decide freely over their own destiny and freely over their own destiny and are subject to violence, abuse are subject to violence, abuse and other forms of coercion. and other forms of coercion.

Impact of trafficking on Impact of trafficking on children children

Emotional impact Emotional impact Children who have been trafficked Children who have been trafficked

have reported feelings of shame, have reported feelings of shame, guilt and low self- esteem and are guilt and low self- esteem and are frequently stigmatized.frequently stigmatized.

They often feel betrayed, They often feel betrayed, especially if the perpetrator was especially if the perpetrator was someone they had trusted. someone they had trusted.

Can cause nightmares, Can cause nightmares, sleeplessness, feelings of sleeplessness, feelings of hopelessness and depression.hopelessness and depression.

Some children who have been Some children who have been trafficked turn to substance trafficked turn to substance abuse to numb their psychic abuse to numb their psychic pain, and others have attempted pain, and others have attempted suicide.suicide.

Physical impact Physical impact

Children trafficked into the sex Children trafficked into the sex industry are susceptible to industry are susceptible to contracting sexually transmitted contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. The infections, including HIV/AIDS. The dangerous and mistaken belief in dangerous and mistaken belief in some countries that sex with a virgin some countries that sex with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS has led to even can cure HIV/AIDS has led to even higher demand for young girls. higher demand for young girls.

Domestic workers, street children, Domestic workers, street children, child labourers and children in child labourers and children in detention are vulnerable to rape and detention are vulnerable to rape and sexual exploitation, and are at high sexual exploitation, and are at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

Psycho-social impactPsycho-social impact Children who are trafficked typically Children who are trafficked typically

suffer adverse effects to their social and suffer adverse effects to their social and educational development.educational development.

Many have no family life and are forced Many have no family life and are forced to work at young ages. Without access to to work at young ages. Without access to school or family support, and cut off from school or family support, and cut off from normal social activities, they fail to normal social activities, they fail to develop their potential. develop their potential.

When they are victims of physical and When they are victims of physical and emotional violence and abuse, the emotional violence and abuse, the effects may be life-threatening and long effects may be life-threatening and long term. term.

Factors that make children Factors that make children vulnerable vulnerable

Trafficking victims often come from poor Trafficking victims often come from poor families and lack economic opportunities. families and lack economic opportunities. Children who have minimal education, Children who have minimal education, lack vocational skills or have few lack vocational skills or have few prospects for job opportunities are most prospects for job opportunities are most at risk.at risk.

These factors, when compounded by These factors, when compounded by gender, racial or ethnic discrimination, or gender, racial or ethnic discrimination, or insecurity caused by armed conflict and insecurity caused by armed conflict and civil strife, create the ideal environment civil strife, create the ideal environment for trafficking networks to thrive.for trafficking networks to thrive.

Poverty Poverty

Poverty heightens children’s Poverty heightens children’s vulnerability to traffickers. Poverty vulnerability to traffickers. Poverty frequently forces vulnerable children to frequently forces vulnerable children to turn to hazardous work.turn to hazardous work.

Those who attempt to sell children into Those who attempt to sell children into slavery or sexual exploitation do not slavery or sexual exploitation do not seek their prey in comfortable suburbs; seek their prey in comfortable suburbs; they look in the poorest shanty towns or they look in the poorest shanty towns or the most underprivileged rural areas, the most underprivileged rural areas, where grinding poverty can heighten where grinding poverty can heighten children’s vulnerability to protection children’s vulnerability to protection abusesabuses..

Inequality of women and Inequality of women and girls girls

The legal and social inequality of The legal and social inequality of women and girls is a breeding women and girls is a breeding ground for trafficking. Where ground for trafficking. Where women and girls are objectified women and girls are objectified and seen as commodities, a and seen as commodities, a climate is created in which girls climate is created in which girls can be bought and sold.can be bought and sold.

Far too often girls are denied the Far too often girls are denied the opportunity to go to school and opportunity to go to school and instead are forced to stay at home instead are forced to stay at home to perform household chores. to perform household chores.

They remain unskilled and uneducated. They remain unskilled and uneducated. Girls are frequently abused within their Girls are frequently abused within their families, making the lure of traffickers families, making the lure of traffickers seem like an escape from domestic seem like an escape from domestic exploitation and violence. exploitation and violence.

For many, migrating or seeking jobs For many, migrating or seeking jobs outside their community is not just an outside their community is not just an economic decision, it may be a quest economic decision, it may be a quest to find personal freedom, better living to find personal freedom, better living conditions or a means to support their conditions or a means to support their familiesfamilies. .

Low school enrolment Low school enrolment

Children who are not in school can Children who are not in school can easily fall prey to traffickers. easily fall prey to traffickers.

The estimated global number of The estimated global number of children not attending school is 121 children not attending school is 121 million, the majority of whom are girls.million, the majority of whom are girls.

School enrollment is a critical factor in School enrollment is a critical factor in the fight against trafficking. the fight against trafficking.

Uneducated children have few Uneducated children have few opportunities for their future, and are opportunities for their future, and are therefore more vulnerable to therefore more vulnerable to traffickers’ promises of money and a traffickers’ promises of money and a ‘better life’.‘better life’.

Children without caregivers Children without caregivers

Children who are without caregivers Children who are without caregivers are extremely vulnerable to trafficking are extremely vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation. and exploitation.

Parents provide an essential safety net Parents provide an essential safety net for their offspring. Children without for their offspring. Children without parental protection, or those placed in parental protection, or those placed in institutions, are targets for traffickers.institutions, are targets for traffickers.

Children who grow up in institutions Children who grow up in institutions often lack ties to community as well as often lack ties to community as well as opportunities and so may be more at opportunities and so may be more at risk.risk.

Traditions and cultural Traditions and cultural values values

Trafficking of children intersects Trafficking of children intersects the traditional role of extended the traditional role of extended families as caregivers and an early families as caregivers and an early integration of children into the integration of children into the labour force. The ‘traditional labour force. The ‘traditional placements’ of children in families placements’ of children in families of distant relatives or friends have of distant relatives or friends have mutated into a system motivated mutated into a system motivated by economic objectives. by economic objectives.

Return and reintegration of Return and reintegration of trafficked women and trafficked women and

childrenchildrenMany trafficked women and Many trafficked women and children actually want to return children actually want to return home if they have the chance.home if they have the chance.

Others are sent back against their Others are sent back against their wishes, for instance after they wishes, for instance after they have been arrested as illegal have been arrested as illegal immigrants: in that case immigrants: in that case involuntary return or deportation involuntary return or deportation by immigration police. by immigration police.

Strategies for Prevention of Strategies for Prevention of TraffickingTrafficking

Building a protective environmentBuilding a protective environment for children is essential for for children is essential for reducing child trafficking. A reducing child trafficking. A protective environment is a safety protective environment is a safety net of interconnected elements net of interconnected elements designed to safeguard children designed to safeguard children from violence, exploitation and from violence, exploitation and abuse, and is crucial to their abuse, and is crucial to their survival, health and well-being. survival, health and well-being.

The protective environment The protective environment begins at home, with the family begins at home, with the family as the first line of defence. It is as the first line of defence. It is nonetheless the task of everyone nonetheless the task of everyone – ICDS – ICDS Functionaries ,governments, Functionaries ,governments, teachers, religious leaders, teachers, religious leaders, police and children themselves – police and children themselves – to help children live in safety. to help children live in safety.

Attitudes, traditions and Attitudes, traditions and practices practices

In societies where attitudes or In societies where attitudes or traditions foster abuse, such as sex traditions foster abuse, such as sex with minors, severe corporal with minors, severe corporal punishment, harmful traditional punishment, harmful traditional practices or differences in the status practices or differences in the status and perceived value of boys and girls, and perceived value of boys and girls, the environment will fail to be the environment will fail to be protective. protective.

In societies where all forms of violence In societies where all forms of violence against children are taboo, and where against children are taboo, and where the rights of children are broadly the rights of children are broadly respected by custom and tradition, respected by custom and tradition, children are more likely to be protected. children are more likely to be protected.

Enhancing capacity of Enhancing capacity of communities and familiescommunities and families

Parents, health workers, teachers, police, Parents, health workers, teachers, police, social workers, ICDS Functionaries and social workers, ICDS Functionaries and others who care for and work with others who care for and work with children need the skills, knowledge, children need the skills, knowledge, authority and motivation to identify and authority and motivation to identify and respond to child protection problems. respond to child protection problems.

Broader initiatives such as the provision Broader initiatives such as the provision of education and safe areas for play, of education and safe areas for play, enhance the capacity for protective enhance the capacity for protective environments. environments.

Children’s participation Children’s participation

If children are unaware of their right to be If children are unaware of their right to be free from abuse, or are not warned of free from abuse, or are not warned of dangers such as trafficking, they are more dangers such as trafficking, they are more vulnerable to exploitation. vulnerable to exploitation.

Children need to be equipped with the Children need to be equipped with the information and knowledge necessary to information and knowledge necessary to protect themselves in anganwadi. protect themselves in anganwadi.

They also require safe channels for They also require safe channels for participation and self-expression. When participation and self-expression. When children have few opportunities for children have few opportunities for participation, they are more likely to participation, they are more likely to become involved in crime or other become involved in crime or other dangerous or harmful activities. dangerous or harmful activities.

Inter-country coordinationInter-country coordination

Inter-country coordination is Inter-country coordination is essential for States to effectively essential for States to effectively disrupt the transnational aspects of disrupt the transnational aspects of trafficking. These should provide for trafficking. These should provide for cooperation in investigating cooperation in investigating criminal activity, prosecuting criminal activity, prosecuting offenders, identifying witnesses, offenders, identifying witnesses, preserving evidence, enforcing legal preserving evidence, enforcing legal judgments, implementing judgments, implementing extradition agreements and seizing extradition agreements and seizing assets. assets.

Implement anti-trafficking Implement anti-trafficking measures during humanitarian measures during humanitarian

crisescrises Humanitarian crises, such as natural Humanitarian crises, such as natural

disasters or conflicts, make children disasters or conflicts, make children particularly vulnerable to trafficking. particularly vulnerable to trafficking.

When disaster strikes, action plans to When disaster strikes, action plans to reduce the likelihood of child reduce the likelihood of child trafficking cannot wait, but instead trafficking cannot wait, but instead must be implemented immediately. must be implemented immediately.

In response to the tsunami crisis, In response to the tsunami crisis, UNICEF recommended the steps to UNICEF recommended the steps to minimize children’s vulnerability to minimize children’s vulnerability to trafficking trafficking

Register all displaced children. Identify Register all displaced children. Identify those who are unaccompanied, separatedthose who are unaccompanied, separated from their parents or caregivers or possibly from their parents or caregivers or possibly orphaned, and know their exact location.orphaned, and know their exact location. – Provide immediate safe care. Provide immediate safe care.

Children identified as unaccompanied or Children identified as unaccompanied or separated must be placed in the separated must be placed in the temporary care of adults who are temporary care of adults who are accountable for the children’s welfare. accountable for the children’s welfare. Their care and protection should be Their care and protection should be carefully monitored so they are not carefully monitored so they are not susceptible to further risk. susceptible to further risk.

Locate relatives. Trace and Locate relatives. Trace and reunite family members who have reunite family members who have been separated during the chaosbeen separated during the chaos. .

– Alert police and other Alert police and other authorities. It is essential to educate authorities. It is essential to educate police, border patrols, teachers, police, border patrols, teachers, health workers and others to the health workers and others to the threat of child exploitation and to threat of child exploitation and to enlist their support in protecting enlist their support in protecting children. children.

– Take special national measures. Take special national measures. Temporary restrictions on Temporary restrictions on children’s movement may be children’s movement may be necessary to thwart trafficking necessary to thwart trafficking that could occur .that could occur .

Challenging gender Challenging gender discriminationdiscrimination

Inequality between men and women Inequality between men and women and between boys and girls breeds and between boys and girls breeds child trafficking. child trafficking.

Discrimination against girls and Discrimination against girls and women is pervasive. women is pervasive.

The subordination of girls and women The subordination of girls and women in law, policies and practice leaves in law, policies and practice leaves them vulnerable to abuse. them vulnerable to abuse.

Attitudes and beliefs about the Attitudes and beliefs about the relative worth of girls and women can relative worth of girls and women can lead to a climate in which they are lead to a climate in which they are bought and sold bought and sold

From birth, and even before, as From birth, and even before, as seen by sex-selective abortion, if seen by sex-selective abortion, if girls are less valued and receive girls are less valued and receive less care than boys. less care than boys.

Within the family, if girls learn early the Within the family, if girls learn early the inferior position inferior position

stereotyped roles given less food and fewer stereotyped roles given less food and fewer economic resources than boys and men;economic resources than boys and men;

denied access to education, employment, denied access to education, employment, recreation and other opportunities;recreation and other opportunities;

shoulder a disproportionate burden of shoulder a disproportionate burden of domestic work and childcare, domestic work and childcare,

denied an equal right to own property; denied an equal right to own property; denied equal participation in decision-denied equal participation in decision-

making. making.

In schools, if girls are exposed to In schools, if girls are exposed to teachers, curricula, textbooks teachers, curricula, textbooks and teaching methods that and teaching methods that reinforce gender stereotypes reinforce gender stereotypes and discriminatory practices, to and discriminatory practices, to sexual harassment and sexual harassment and insecurity, and to non-existent insecurity, and to non-existent or inappropriate school facilities. or inappropriate school facilities.

In communities, if girls and In communities, if girls and women are subjected to violence women are subjected to violence and abuse that is tolerated and and abuse that is tolerated and goes unpunished. goes unpunished.

EverywhereEverywhere, , in households, in households, communities, and national and communities, and national and international arenas, if women international arenas, if women and girls are left out of the and girls are left out of the decisions that define the decisions that define the conditions in which they live. conditions in which they live.

Mobilizing civil society Mobilizing civil society

Promoting an open dialogue on child Promoting an open dialogue on child trafficking and child protection issues trafficking and child protection issues is key to identifying and implementing is key to identifying and implementing efficient and effective policies and efficient and effective policies and programmes.programmes.

Child trafficking is a complex issue, Child trafficking is a complex issue, with many stakeholders and key with many stakeholders and key players. It is important that all players. It is important that all relevant sectors of society be relevant sectors of society be identified and be contributing identified and be contributing members in efforts to combat child members in efforts to combat child trafficking. trafficking.

Media collaborationMedia collaboration

The media are important outlets to inform The media are important outlets to inform and raise awareness about the exploitation and raise awareness about the exploitation and abuse of children by child traffickers. and abuse of children by child traffickers.

They can reach both rural and urban They can reach both rural and urban populations and influence opinions. populations and influence opinions. However, collaboration with the media must However, collaboration with the media must be carried out without sensationalizing the be carried out without sensationalizing the issue and further stigmatizing children who issue and further stigmatizing children who have been trafficked. have been trafficked.

Protective measures must be followed to Protective measures must be followed to ensure that children’s identities are kept ensure that children’s identities are kept confidential. confidential.

Capacity of communities Capacity of communities and families and families

Parents, health workers, teachers, Parents, health workers, teachers, ICDS functionaries police, social ICDS functionaries police, social workers and others who care for and workers and others who care for and work with children need the skills, work with children need the skills, knowledge, authority and motivation knowledge, authority and motivation to identify and respond to child to identify and respond to child protection problems. Broader protection problems. Broader initiatives such as the provision of initiatives such as the provision of education and safe areas for play education and safe areas for play enhance capacity for protective enhance capacity for protective environment. environment.

Conventions: Conventions:

Convention for the Suppression of Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others, 1949 Others, 1949

Slavery Convention , 1926 and the Slavery Convention , 1926 and the Supplementary Convention on the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery 1956 Slavery 1956

Forced Labour Convention 1930 Forced Labour Convention 1930 (ILO) (ILO)

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1979 (CEDAW) Discrimination against Women 1979 (CEDAW)

Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 International Convention on the Protection International Convention on the Protection

of the Rights of all Migrant Worker and Members of the Rights of all Migrant Worker and Members of their Families 1990 (not in force) of their Families 1990 (not in force)

Rome Statue of the International Criminal Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court, 1998 (not in force) Court, 1998 (not in force)

ILO Convention Concerning the Prohibition ILO Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999 Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999