Every year on January 11th, the world comes together to observe Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day dedicated to shedding light on one of the most egregious violations of human rights prevalent worldwide. This day serves as a poignant reminder that behind the curtains of our societies, many individuals suffer the horrors of exploitation, coercion, and trafficking.
We have been celebrating the National Human Trafficking awareness day for over a decade, here are the few facts and statistics about human trafficking of the past few years-
- 92% of the trafficking victims identified were Indians
- 62% of the victims were female and the rest 38% victims were male, of which 56% of them were adults and 44% were children.
- Maharashtra tops the charts when it comes to human trafficking cases around India
- It is a form of modern day slavery.
- It is not always kidnapping, human traffickers often use psychological means like tricking, defrauding, manipulation or threatening.
Modern day reality of Human trafficking is even is disheartening than it ever was like the horrifying story of Human trafficking survivor “Anju* ”
Anju was merely 12 years old when she became the victim of Human Trafficking. Anju’s parents were daily wage workers with 5 childrens. She was only a child when she was trafficked after an agent told her parents that he would get her a good paying job, but instead she was sold off to an older man.
The agent sold her for $800 (50,000) but the deal failed when the agent demanded more money from the man. The agent got so angry that he raped Anj that night, cursing and blaming her for the failing of the deal.
The next morning she was “sold off” as a domestic help for $560 (35.000) to a household in New Delhi.
After 11 months, she asked her agent to let her go home but instead he locked her in a room and raped her again.
Almost after a year and a half, Anju was rescued by a New Delhi based Non-governmental organization called ‘Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the childhood). Anju is now 16 and is currently fighting her legal battle against the agent to get convicted for rape and trafficking. Still having zero to no clue about the battle of her physical and mental health.
Human trafficking, often termed modern-day slavery, manifests in various forms, exploiting vulnerable individuals, including women, men, and children. It encompasses forced labor, sexual exploitation, involuntary servitude, and even organ trafficking. The statistics are alarming, with millions subjected to this dehumanizing ordeal every year.
The fight against human trafficking involves multifaceted efforts. It includes preventative measures through education, empowering communities, advocating for stronger laws and policies, providing support and rehabilitation for survivors, and ensuring the prosecution of traffickers.
Non-profit organizations, governmental bodies, activists, and various institutions around the globe strive tirelessly to amplify their efforts on this day. They conduct educational seminars, organize rallies, and use social media campaigns to spread awareness and mobilize support for victims.
However, awareness alone isn’t enough; it’s crucial to channel this consciousness into meaningful action. By reporting suspicious activities, supporting organizations working on the ground, and amplifying the voices of survivors, individuals can contribute significantly to the cause.
As we commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Let’s strive to create a world where exploitation and trafficking are no longer part of the human experience, where every individual can live with dignity, freedom, and hope.
The battle against human trafficking is ongoing, but together, our efforts can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.