Dimapur, July 30 (MExN): “In our Naga context, the demand for domestic helpers is also one of the main reasons, leading to an increase in human trafficking in Nagaland,” observed Asha Sanchu, Director of Miqlat Ministry on the occasion of World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2020.
Sanchu was addressing a group of village leaders, women society and youths at Miqlat Centre, Seluophe during an awareness programme organized by Miqlat Ministry, Dimapur.
She mentioned that Naga people are known for being community oriented and helping one another. However, in the name of education, many children are exploited and their childhood is robbed. Therefore, she challenged the leaders present to be aware of the current social issues and stressed the importance of community involvement in the upliftment of the society.
She mentioned more than 80% of the returnees during this pandemic were engaged in different sectors of work, mostly youth and therefore, this is an opportunity for the community leaders to dialogue, explore the available resources and create employment opportunities for the youth of the community. She pointed out that laziness is also one of the contributing factors driving young people to seek for jobs in cities. “A major concern is that many parents take pride saying that their children are staying and working in cities without contemplating the kind and nature of work they do,” she stated.
To the church leaders, Sanchu said that “as preachers we should be more informed to make our preaching relevant to our context.” She challenged the village council leaders stating that there is much power and authority vested in them to exercise and bring change and transformation in the society.
She mentioned that in a survey conducted to access the progress and performance of Government Schools, it was found that schools where concerned village authorities were actively involved it led to a huge progress.
“Therefore, the community leaders also have to actively monitor and evaluate the community schools and added that the government schools have some of the best teachers. Lack of education is also one of the main push factors for human trafficking and so uplifting the education system in our respective community is one way to combat human trafficking,” she added.
“We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing oriented” society to a “person oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered”.
She concluded by quoting that “true worship entails breaking the chains of bondage and releasing the prisoners free, people that are exploited and vulnerable.”
.JPG)
