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Human trafficking: "We are haunted by the horror that we have witnessed" Human trafficking: 'We are haunted by the horror that we have witnessed'
(4 months later)
This year you are celebrating Odanadi's 25th anniversary, why did you start the organisation?This year you are celebrating Odanadi's 25th anniversary, why did you start the organisation?
Stanly Kizhakeparambil Varghese and Parashuram Mynkanalli Lingegowda: Twenty-five years ago we were young journalists with masters degrees working for the Andolana Daily – a well-respected newspaper. We were investigating the plight of horse carriage drivers from the Dalit caste – the lowest and most discriminated against caste in India. While speaking to a group of drivers in the park, an unkempt lady interrupted us with taunts.Stanly Kizhakeparambil Varghese and Parashuram Mynkanalli Lingegowda: Twenty-five years ago we were young journalists with masters degrees working for the Andolana Daily – a well-respected newspaper. We were investigating the plight of horse carriage drivers from the Dalit caste – the lowest and most discriminated against caste in India. While speaking to a group of drivers in the park, an unkempt lady interrupted us with taunts.
She accused us of using people's plight to make a name for ourselves and advance our careers. When she later told us her story – how she had been a child bride and was sold to a brothel by her husband, we were challenged to do more than just report what we'd heard. We decided to fight for change and started Odanadi.She accused us of using people's plight to make a name for ourselves and advance our careers. When she later told us her story – how she had been a child bride and was sold to a brothel by her husband, we were challenged to do more than just report what we'd heard. We decided to fight for change and started Odanadi.
How widespread is the problem of human trafficking in India?How widespread is the problem of human trafficking in India?
Recent reports indicate millions are involved and affected, and India is a source, destination and transit country for child trafficking. About 7,000 sex workers cross over from Nepal into the country every year, and children from Bangladesh enter via west Bengal, lured by marriage or job offers.Recent reports indicate millions are involved and affected, and India is a source, destination and transit country for child trafficking. About 7,000 sex workers cross over from Nepal into the country every year, and children from Bangladesh enter via west Bengal, lured by marriage or job offers.
In India, children from poor and rural communities, especially those with emotional, physical and learning difficulties, are particularly vulnerable to inter-country trafficking. They are often kidnapped or bought from their families to be sold to brothels and into beggary or forced labour.In India, children from poor and rural communities, especially those with emotional, physical and learning difficulties, are particularly vulnerable to inter-country trafficking. They are often kidnapped or bought from their families to be sold to brothels and into beggary or forced labour.
What sort of impact is Odanadi having?What sort of impact is Odanadi having?
When we first started it was common place for women and children to be openly abused in the streets – even by the police. But we challenged those practices and our work has resulted in a real change of attitudes.When we first started it was common place for women and children to be openly abused in the streets – even by the police. But we challenged those practices and our work has resulted in a real change of attitudes.
Today we run a number of initiatives such as the Free a Girl campaign. We also have 220 vigilance committees, created to prevent trafficking among at-risk rural communities – a strategy which has been widely adopted by the Indian government.Today we run a number of initiatives such as the Free a Girl campaign. We also have 220 vigilance committees, created to prevent trafficking among at-risk rural communities – a strategy which has been widely adopted by the Indian government.
The focus is very much on raising awareness and changing the mindset of men towards gender equality, through training, education and sensitising the entire community.The focus is very much on raising awareness and changing the mindset of men towards gender equality, through training, education and sensitising the entire community.
The other important part of our work is our rescues, which we do in collaboration with the police and informants. We have been involved in the rescue of more than 4,200 women and children, and have brought more than 150 traffickers to justice.The other important part of our work is our rescues, which we do in collaboration with the police and informants. We have been involved in the rescue of more than 4,200 women and children, and have brought more than 150 traffickers to justice.
We also work in collaboration with other organisations and we have a growing international presence with branches in the UK, US and the Netherlands.We also work in collaboration with other organisations and we have a growing international presence with branches in the UK, US and the Netherlands.
How do you help victims to rebuild their lives?How do you help victims to rebuild their lives?
We have implemented a range of activities and services, including rehabilitation homes and a state-funded helpline for victims of violence.We have implemented a range of activities and services, including rehabilitation homes and a state-funded helpline for victims of violence.
Through our internationally recognised rehabilitation programme, which involves counselling and daily psycho-social therapy, we empower and eventually reintegrate victims of trafficking into mainstream society.Through our internationally recognised rehabilitation programme, which involves counselling and daily psycho-social therapy, we empower and eventually reintegrate victims of trafficking into mainstream society.
We were also instrumental in the creation of a law which prohibits schools from using parental identity as an admission prerequisite – a practice which used to prevent children of prostitutes from getting an education.We were also instrumental in the creation of a law which prohibits schools from using parental identity as an admission prerequisite – a practice which used to prevent children of prostitutes from getting an education.
The Trafficking in Persons report 2013and Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking outline ambitious government strategies. Do you think the international community is doing enough?The Trafficking in Persons report 2013and Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking outline ambitious government strategies. Do you think the international community is doing enough?
More needs to be done to co-ordinate efforts to prevent trafficking. One key issue for us is holding national governments to account in terms of their obligations under the UN convention on the rights of the child (CRC) and other human rights frameworks. For example, under the CRC, governments are required to develop and implement comprehensive child protection systems which should prevent trafficking – such as birth registration, provision of good quality early years support, access to education and a strategy for combating early marriage.More needs to be done to co-ordinate efforts to prevent trafficking. One key issue for us is holding national governments to account in terms of their obligations under the UN convention on the rights of the child (CRC) and other human rights frameworks. For example, under the CRC, governments are required to develop and implement comprehensive child protection systems which should prevent trafficking – such as birth registration, provision of good quality early years support, access to education and a strategy for combating early marriage.
India, like many nations, is a signatory to these conventions, but implementation is poor, because of factors such as corruption, lack of capacity and expertise and cultural norms, attitudes and stigmas.India, like many nations, is a signatory to these conventions, but implementation is poor, because of factors such as corruption, lack of capacity and expertise and cultural norms, attitudes and stigmas.
Inequalities and entrenched poverty inevitably leave certain communities vulnerable to being targeted by traffickers. We support the growing emphasis on social protection in the emerging post-2015 sustainable development framework.Inequalities and entrenched poverty inevitably leave certain communities vulnerable to being targeted by traffickers. We support the growing emphasis on social protection in the emerging post-2015 sustainable development framework.
Another key issue is developing effective international policing systems, which are capable of tracking and apprehending traffickers across borders and – most importantly – prosecuting them.Another key issue is developing effective international policing systems, which are capable of tracking and apprehending traffickers across borders and – most importantly – prosecuting them.
Your work carries a great degree of risk, what motivates you to continue leading the organisation?Your work carries a great degree of risk, what motivates you to continue leading the organisation?
In India, Odanadi, like other NGOs, is not protected from counter complaints from traffickers. So we are constantly facing prosecution and threats.In India, Odanadi, like other NGOs, is not protected from counter complaints from traffickers. So we are constantly facing prosecution and threats.
But we are fighters, we don't compromise and we are ready to go to jail or even die for our cause. Why? Because we are haunted by the horror that we have witnessed – the unimaginable treatment that children are subjected to, the picture of old women being forced into prostitutions, and mothers with young babies having sex with one man while another holds her baby in front of her.But we are fighters, we don't compromise and we are ready to go to jail or even die for our cause. Why? Because we are haunted by the horror that we have witnessed – the unimaginable treatment that children are subjected to, the picture of old women being forced into prostitutions, and mothers with young babies having sex with one man while another holds her baby in front of her.
This brutal truth lives with us and if we do nothing about this injustice against other human beings then it is beyond shameful. That is what drives our leadership and why, despite the humiliation and attacks we have been subjected to, we keep going.This brutal truth lives with us and if we do nothing about this injustice against other human beings then it is beyond shameful. That is what drives our leadership and why, despite the humiliation and attacks we have been subjected to, we keep going.
Ultimately our vision is to make this world a safe place for all children and women. We hope one day there will no longer be a need for Odanadi.Ultimately our vision is to make this world a safe place for all children and women. We hope one day there will no longer be a need for Odanadi.
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