Question

Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. Discuss the implications of human trafficking on society? What steps can be taken to curb the menace of human trafficking?

Answer 1

Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery
Human trafficking is a fundamental violation of the human rights of an individual. Human trafficking involves recruitment, harbouring or transporting people into a situation of exploitation through the use of violence, deception or coercion and forced to work against their will.

In other words, trafficking is a process of enslaving people, coercing them into a situation with no way out, and exploiting them. People can be trafficked for many different forms of exploitation such as forced prostitution, forced labour, forced begging, forced criminality, domestic servitude, forced marriage, and forced organ removal.

Legal Framework in India

• Article 23- Protects against exploitation, prohibits traffic in humans and beggars and makes this practice punishable under law.
• Article 24- Protects children below age 14 from working in factories, mines or other hazardous employment.
• There are around 25 provisions for trafficking in Indian Penal Code like Section 366A, Section 366B, Section 374 etc.
• Apart from that there are many legislations which prohibits and punish trafficking like Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 etc.

The Impacts of Trafficking
Economic impacts: Trafficking represents lost opportunities domestically, including an irretrievable loss of human resources and future productivity. Additionally, the costs of coercion and exploitation cannot be measured but it is clear that the worst forms of child labour (and by extension trafficking), for instance, represents a loss in productive capacity of a generation of individuals who would have otherwise gained from increased education and improved health. Further, if the fight against trafficking is successful, funds currently used to fight trafficking crimes may be channelled towards alternative development initiatives.

Societal impacts: The direct impact on the family and community left behind cannot be easily quantified but nevertheless should not be ignored. Trafficking undermines extended family ties, and in many cases, the forced absence of women leads to the breakdown of families and neglect of children and the aged. Victims who return to communities often find themselves stigmatised and shunned, and are more likely to become involved in substance abuse and criminal activity. Children trafficked into forced labour or sexual exploitation have their development as a person ‘irreparably damaged’. Survivors often suffer multiple traumas and psychological problems.

Health impacts: There are significant health impacts for victims both while they are being transported and when they have reached their destination. Perilous journeys expose trafficked victims to injury and even death, while overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, and shortages of food and water increase the risk of spreading infectious disease. Trafficked persons experience ‘physical, sexual, and emotional violence at the hands of traffickers, pimps, employers, and others. They are also exposed to various workplace, health, and environmental hazards’. Individuals trafficked for the sex industry also experience increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). These are problems not just for the individual, who may suffer from long-term adverse health, but as such conditions can harbour infectious diseases, wider populations may also be put at risk.

Gender equity and human rights: The impacts of human trafficking fall disproportionately on women and children, who are the main victims, largely trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. It goes without saying that trafficked victims are stripped of their human rights. Trafficked people are subject to all manner of human rights violations, not least of all the rights to life, liberty and freedom from slavery. Trafficked children are deprived of the right to grow up in a protective environment, and to be free from sexual exploitation and abuse.

National security and rule of law: Organised criminal groups often combine human trafficking with other types of criminal activities, and its profits fuel other criminal activities, which present huge security threats to countries, such as the drug trade.

Impacts on destination countries: There are also significant impacts of unregulated migration on both the economy, and security, particularly given that trafficking is considered an element of the larger problem of organised crime and the illicit global economy, and closely linked with the trade of illicit drugs, arms, and so on.

Here are some critical measures to prevent this social evil in India.

1. Foster the spread of education
India has the world's biggest education system, yet sees low literacy due to poor enrolment and high dropout rates - resulting in people having low self-esteem and lack of opportunities. Uneducated parents are easily convinced by conmen to give them a better life in the city (a very common ruse for trafficking). Educated children and their families are much more aware, alert and mature, and they can comprehend the risks of child trafficking quite well. Compassionate and understanding teachers guide children and parents to find opportunities for higher growth and employment, creating a community driven by ambition where traffickers cannot thrive.

2. Spread awareness among parents and communities:
Lack of awareness can create situations that traffickers can exploit. A lot of India’s poor children find themselves trapped in substance abuse which can further lead to them getting trafficked. Educated communities are capable of understanding, and effectively responding to the various ways traffickers source children. Aware of their rights as Indian citizens, and opportunities for growth, education, employment, and enterprise, these communities can stand strong. Grassroot activism assists communities to fight poverty and exploitation, the basis of trafficking. NGOs like Save the Children are empowering communities by creating income resources, educational resources, and enabling them to get access to information services.

3. Strict laws in place to prevent child trafficking:​​​​​​​
Effective policy making is critical to reform. Engage with various government agencies, urging them to have better legislation in place for tackling child trafficking. India has a wide range of laws enacted by the Parliament and some State legislature, apart from the provisions of the Constitution which is the basic law of the country. The need is to implement them fully.

4. Encouraging business to not use child labour
An ecosystem for child trafficking gets silent approval when demand for child labour is commonly used in businesses like retail, hospitality, etc. NGOs have established a dialogue to sensitise trade organisations to end this social evil that will save them a few rupees. At the same time, locals have been made vigilant to report instances of child labour at businesses, so that it is actively discouraged.

Conclusion
Through a joint effort of civil society and government in Child Education, Health & Nutrition, Child Protection, Humanitarian Response, lakhs of victims have found hope. Coordination between Government, national and international bodies can act as a driving force in resolving such issues. Trafficking is a major social menace and the best way to deal with it is through following the “prevention is better than cure” approach.