Church of North India: A Leader in Addressing the Tragedy of Human Trafficking

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Recently, the Church of North India gathered for a Consultation with Governmental and Interfaith Leaders on “Tackling Newer Emerging Vulnerabilities Leading to Trafficking in Children and Women in Bihar”. This Consultation sought to educate and energize a broad community around the need to end trafficking in human beings. Experts in the field presented current realities in India and particularly in the Bihar region. One of the greatest challenges lies in documenting the realities, because this illegal business is often run by organized crime and is an underground activity. For many, girls are considered a burden and when parents are offered a chance to “send their girls to work in the city,” it sounds like a blessing. But the reality is a tragedy. It is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across borders every year and these numbers do not reflect internally trafficked individuals. Many end up in slave labor situations and girls often end up in brothels with no chance of escape. Almost all are abused in some way.

The Consultation heard from many experts and resolved to re-commit to ending this practice and established a Plan of Action to be implemented across the Interfaith Community. The Plan of Action calls for expanding strategies which have been shown to be effective in protecting women and girls and in preventing their vulnerability. The Plan of Action also outlines the need to use the media more effectively to educate and empower the vulnerable communities and to energize the general population to require effective government action.

The Church of North India has long been active throughout its many programs in educating vulnerable communities on the dangers of human trafficking and the Church is now ready to recommit and expand its programs toward ending this tragic trade in humanity.