Sex Trafficking- a Global Malaise and a Blot of the
Sub-continent.

‘Bringing an End to Sex
Trafficking: We Can Do It!’ 

"This SI
event on the first day of the CSW59 sessions highlighted the varied work that
Soroptimists across the world do on sex trafficking, an ill that plagues
developed, developing and under developed countries. The SI
statement reiterates, “human trafficking and modern day slavery violates human
rights and fundamental freedoms and continues to pose a serious challenge to
humanity.”

It is clear member
states are  not doing enough, or not effectively enough, that human trafficking
has multiplied, rampantly aided by the misuse of technology.

It
is not coincidental that Ruchira Gupta was announced CSW Woman of The Year Distinction Awardee 2015. Her globally acknowledged work on sex trafficking has escalated
her from an investigative journalist to film maker, and then consultant,
working on this issue for the UN and several countries. Ruchira has helped
formulate policies, national plans and teach courses on modern day slavery, forming
a coalition of supporters of her work and Apne Aap Worldwide, an NGO took
shape.
A nongovernmental organization that tackles issues of sex trafficking and
promotes women’s rights, it works for
rehabilitation, empowerment and capacity building for those rescued
from the jaws of the sex trade.

More than 20,000 girls and women have been
rescued through her efforts".

 

Photo:  Ruchira Gupta

"In
her home country, India, Ruchira has provided policy support and worked in conjunction
with ministries. It is small wonder that Ruchira’s work with sex trafficking
began when she stumbled upon missing girls in a small village near her hometown leading her to investigate; opening several cans of worms.

For
the subcontinent, sex trafficking is a huge blot on the landscape. The trade that involves selling
of girls as young as thirteen to metro cities flourishes, unabated. Poverty, lack of education,
unemployment and attraction of the big city play a major role in luring the
vulnerable girls.

Ruchira, enumerates the challenges she works
with – no data of numbers trafficked, the archaic laws and very often a nexus
between the traffickers and men with political muscle making intervention by
law agencies next to impossible. A report (2013), indicated that failures on
the part of the Government and Police were the root cause behind crimes against
women. Pressure from NGOs
and women’s groups have led to the Amendment of the Criminal Code in India".

 

Photo:  Ruchira Gupta wins the Clinton Global Citizen’s Award 2009

"Things
may change but it’s a long haul say the activists. A person may be
trafficked for labour and then may be sexually exploited as well. It is very
important for India to have strict laws against trafficking for labor
exploitation. India has to make bigger legal changes. “It has
created a new paradigm with how we deal with trafficking,” says Ruchira. “We
have shifted the blame from the victim to the perpetrator. Also, whilst the law has
changed, there is no budget allocation to provide legal, health, housing or
capacity-building services to victims and survivors of prostitution. And on
prevention, there is absolutely no policy at all. A holistic approach that
links different departments, such as women and child, social welfare,
education, police, is needed. Schemes need to be linked.” "

"One
of the important take home points from CSW59 was that it is a global battle –
whether in Mexico, Canada, Eastern Europe, or an Asian country – women’s groups
are putting their all into the elimination of sex trafficking. Delegates from the
sub-continent group that were part of the Asia Pacific Caucus had serious
dialogues on hopes to prevent this grave violation of human rights, Soroptimists
in the sub-continent countries could evolve projects that help in rehabilitation
of rescued victims, education or empowerment. But most
importantly what CSW initiates is dialogue; a means in which to engage communities.

Nisha
Ghosh, Friendship
Link Coordinator SIGBI, SI
Pune Metro East India