Transcript of Human trafficking and the plight of women and children Deepabali Khaidem Co- ordinator Women Action...
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- Human trafficking and the plight of women and children
Deepabali Khaidem Co- ordinator Women Action for Development
(WAD)
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- TODAY'S NEWS
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- Mom asked Rs 2 lakhs for custody of own daughter Source: The
Sangai Express Imphal, July 30 2012: A young mother has been
demanded Rs two lakhs to take custody of her own daughter who is
currently in the custody of her husband's second wife. The second
wife not only demanded Rs two lakhs but also threatened to sell off
the young girl in case the demand is not fulfilled. Saikhom (N)
Naorem (O) Roshini (30) who is separated from her husband is now
living in a rented room at Kongpal Kongkham Leikai. Talking
exclusively to TSE today, Roshini said that she was married to
Naorem Momo (30) s/o Thambou of Pukhao Ahallup Leikai in 2002.
After a few years since her daughter was born, Momo who is truck
driver by profession and operating on Guwahati-Imphal route started
harassing Roshini and he repeatedly asked his wife to go back to
her parental home. Unable to bear the constant harassment, Roshini
went back to her parental home at Ningthemcha Khun. It was during
this period when Roshini's mother-in-law came and took away her
three year old daughter. When Roshini went to Momo's house to take
back her daughter, she was denied the custody of her own daughter
saying that they (her in-laws) would bring up the girl. In the
meantime, it was heard that Momo had brought home one Moirangbam
Thoibi from Hojai, Udaipur as his second wife. Again, Roshini went
to Momo's house to take her daughter but they refused to give her
the girl. Sometime later, Momo and his second wife went together to
Hojai Udaipur taking along with them Roshini's daughter Mohini.
After staying at Hojai Udaipur for about two months, Momo came back
to Manipur. Not long after, Momo brought home another woman from
Waiton as his third wife. Following these developments, Roshini
made her best efforts to take custody of her own daughter. She even
went to Hojai Udaipur and entreated to Thoibi to give her daughter
but Thoibi set certain conditions if Roshini must take back her
daughter. Thoibi demanded Roshini to bring their husband to Hojai
or give her Rs two lakhs if she (Roshini) must take her daughter.
At this, Roshini clarified that she had snapped all marital
relationships with Momo. Again, Roshini went to Hojai together with
Momo's younger brother but Thoibi insisted that Momo himself should
be brought there if Roshini must take custody of Mohini. This time
too, Roshini returned empty handed and crestfallen. Roshini who is
now working as security guard at JNIMS for a trifling monthly
salary of Rs 2500 had even approached EEMA but they referred her
case to Child Line. Together with volunteers of Child Line, Roshini
went to Porompat police station to lodge an FIR case but Porompat
Police refused to handle the case saying that it was too old.
Finally, Roshini approached Cheirap Court following which she was
told to come to the Court on August 8. Acting on her petition, the
Court has reportedly sent a summon to Hojai. Roshini said that
Thoibi and her family rang her yesterday and demanded money for
Mohini had fallen ill. At this, Roshini asked Thoibi to bring
Mohini to Guwahati so that the girl can be properly diagnosed and
treated there. In the next moment, Thoibi suddenly changed her
words and said that the girl had recovered fully. Thoibi then
threatened Roshini which looked like a case of blackmailing saying
that Mohini would be sold off if Roshini does not pay Rs two lakhs
within the months of June and July. "In case my daughter is sold
off or if she dies in the custody of Thoibi, Momo and his second
wife should be held responsible", said the worried mother.
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- Human trafficking or modern global slavery - third highest
profitable well-organized crime that are carried out in nexus.
Basically exploits the vulnerability of human beings, especially
women and children extending beyond boundaries and jurisdictions.
Marginalized and poverty-stricken underprivileged people are the
main targets of this deplorable crime. For 2012 till July, 44 girls
and children rescued from the hands of traffickers were reported.
It is recorded that 1.25 lakhs of reported cases of child
trafficking in the year 2011-2012 happening in our country.
Introduction
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- Prolong armed conflicts due to imposition of the draconian
AFSPA act- thousands killed, thousands homeless - causes acute
poverty linked to armed conflicts hence human trafficking. Another
impact of prolong armed conflicts- forced recruitment of children
below 15 years for child soldiers. Impact of communal riots-
Naga/Kuki, Meitei/Pangal, Kuki/Paite. Impact of Mega projects in
the state (Khuga dam, Tipaimukh dam)- forced displacement, many
homeless- increases sex trades in the state. Impact of
globalization- marketization (mobile phones, i-pods, internet)-
attracts under-privileged children- distant gaps between advanced
globalization and status of marginalized and poverty-stricken
under- privileged people. Failure of quality education system-
hundreds of children transferred to other states illegally by
agents from Manipur- false hopes for free education, food, shelter,
etc. Impact of HIV/AIDS- HIV widows, flesh trades, poverty, etc.
Trafficking Scenario in Manipur : Why and How??
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- Plight of victims: preys of trafficking Economic causes:
poverty, globalization, increased export oriented growth, growing
consumerism, unemployment, lack of opportunities in rural areas.
Triggering factors: family disintegration, armed conflict,
displacement, violence, abuse, neglect, vulnerable situations like
natural disasters, calamities; loss of spouses, of parents,
HIV/AIDS. Contributory: literacy, poor education, lack of awareness
(trafficking, HIV), lack of legal knowledge for health care,
government welfare schemes, sensitized media, lack of effective NGO
networks. System failure: poor implementation of laws, failure of
education system, weak governance of labor, health, education,
social welfare and police department, lack of co-ordination in
activities.
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- Faces of trafficking in Manipur Refugees from Assam at Tousem
relief centre (Tamenglong) after a mass displacement due to ethnic
conflicts (left) and preparation of foods (above)
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- Faces of trafficking in Manipur Interaction with refugees at
Tousem
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- Faces of trafficking in Manipur
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- Recorded data of trafficking in Manipur In 2007, 5 children
were taken to Singapore from Tamenglong and Senapati district. In
2008, 22 children were taken to Chennai by a pastor from Chandel
district to an unregistered home called life home and 63 children
were abducted by the armed group. In 2009, 16 children were taken
to Chennai from Bishnupur district and kept in a very bad condition
in an unregistered orphan home called Oasis Children home. In the
month of July 2009, 25 children were rescued from West Bengal from
being taken to Andhra Pradesh. In the month of January 2010, 75
children were rescued from Reach home Children foundation,
Moggapair Chennai and Bedesta Blessing Home, Kanyakumari district
Tamil Nadu.
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- In March 2010, 39 children of which 25 are boys and 12 are
girls were rescued from an unregistered children home located at
Madapurram Ankur post of Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. In
April 2010, 27 children are rescued from an unregistered children
home at Madurai. In May 2010, 4 children including 1 girl are
rescued from Imphal Tulihal Airport. In June 2010, 12 children, 9
boys and 3 girls are rescued from Oasis children home, Chennai. In
July 2010, 3 children are rescued from trafficking. In August 2010,
9 children are rescued from an unregistered children home situated
at Bangalore. In 2011, a total of 55 trafficking cases were
reported in the local newspaper. In June 2012, among 146 girls
rescued from Goa, 31 are reported from Manipur. Till July 2012, 13
children and girls are reportedly rescued from traffickers.
Recorded data of trafficking in Manipur
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- Roles of NGOs and CBOs Advocate policies Creating awareness and
sensitization training Direct victim support, counseling and
assistance Community engagement and rehabilitation Coordination
with media for sensitive reporting Encourage government for strong
implementation and good governance 3Ps and 3Rs strategies to combat
human trafficking Collaborative measures with police, criminal
justice and related organizations
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- Roles of Governments Enacting strong prohibitory laws and its
proper implementation. Track down the nexus in co-operation with
other state agencies. Fast track prosecution and testimony against
the traffickers. Zero tolerance and befitting punishments against
the traffickers. Establishment of anti-trafficking unit cell in all
9 districts of Manipur. Amendment of ITPA Act with strong penalties
to the traffickers. Training on Juvenile Justice Act and strong law
enforcing agencies. RTE Act 2009 should be implemented. Promote
victim assistance supports and rehabilitation with professional
counselling and health care safeguarding the privacy. Primary focus
on preventive measures than repatriation and rehabilitation. Proper
incentive packages and schemes for rehabilitation and
reintegration.
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- Conclusion An interim support and coordination among states is
necessary to fight against such nexus of trafficking. Collective
efforts and approaches by all stakeholders and intellectuals and
integrated action on 3Ps for prevention, protection and
prosecution. Deploying security forces for preventive measures
rather than escorting VVIPs. Strong implementation of policies and
good governance. Public awareness and quality education at remote
areas. 3Rs to prevent re- trafficking. Conjoint efforts and
coordination among government, stakeholders, intellectuals, NGOs,
CBOs, public and media to eradicate human trafficking.
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- Thank you It is time for all of us to think and to do something
to save our future generation