shield arrow-simple-alt-top arrow-simple-alt-left arrow-simple-alt-right arrow-simple-alt-bottom facebook instagram linkedin medium pinterest rss search-alt twitter video-play arrow-long-right arrow-long-left arrow-long-top arrow-long-bottom arrow-simple-right arrow-simple-left arrow-simple-bottom readio arrow-simple-top speaker-down plus minus cloud hb pin camera globe cart rotate star edit arrow-top arrow-right arrow-left arrow-bottom check search close square speaker-up speaker-mute return play pause love

LIMITED-TIME MATCH: Your loving gift will be matched to pursue justice and support for survivors.

I WANT TO SHOW WOMEN I CARE

12,000 Survivors Write to Indian PM on New Anti-Trafficking Bill

Meera looked tiny behind the large wooden podium—bundled in her pink sweater and scarf, unrehearsed, and using a microphone for one of the first times in her life.

Slowly and confidently, she shared how, just one year ago, she was rescued from bonded labour slavery at a brick kiln thanks to local authorities and IJM’s partner NGO, Jai Bhim Vikas Shikshan Santsthan (JBVSS).

Another young woman shared about the intense physical and sexual violence she experienced after being trafficked into a forced marriage (another form of modern slavery).

Along with several other survivors, their brave voices brought the crimes of modern slavery to life at a Delhi event in December 2018 supporting new anti-trafficking legislation being reviewed in India’s parliament.

More than 100 survivors, community leaders and NGO staff gathered alongside Meera to show their support for the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill of 2018, which would help confront modern slavery across the country.

Anti-trafficking organizations also shared signed petitions from 12,000 survivors of bonded labour, sex trafficking and forced marriage from 14 Indian states. The sheer number of signatures illustrated the scale of this plight, and made a powerful statement in favour of the bill’s passing.

Dr. K Krishnan of the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD)—also an IJM partner—shared strengths of the proposed bill, including that it “makes the rehabilitation of survivors a basic right and provides a time-bound procedure for rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation. It makes the government accountable to implement the law at the district, state and national level.”

The new bill would build upon progress the Indian government has made over the last few years, like the establishment of police Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), clearer reporting of trafficking cases in the National Crime Records Bureau, increased financial support for survivors of bonded labour slavery, and the release of “standard operation procedures” to help local authorities identify and rescue victims of trafficking and modern slavery.

Survivor voices were heavily influential as the bill was being drafted, especially in new provisions to improve education support, vocational training, healthcare, nutrition and mental health intervention for victims of human trafficking.

All of that makes a huge difference for survivors like Meera, who smiled radiantly after her speech thanks to the support she’s received.

“Main bahot khush hoon!” she gushed. (I am very happy!)

It’s a smile nine years in bondage couldn’t erase, and proof enough of the importance of fighting modern slavery so millions more can have their smile, too.

You might also be interested in…

see more

Newsletter Sign Up

Stay connected to the work! Sign up to get updates straight to your inbox.

Media Contact

We're here to answer your questions. Please fill out the form below and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

Make an Impact

Your skills, talents, and ideas are a force for change. From birthday parties to polar dips, your fundraising campaign can stop the violence.

Learn More

Thank you for signing up to learn more about starting a fundraiser. We will be in touch soon!

In the meantime, please take a look at our free guide: 25 Tips for the Novice Fundraiser.

Need Help?

Need more information?
We're here to help.
Contact us at events@ijm.ca