Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 27
A two-day workshop on anti-human trafficking and HIV&AIDS, jointly organized by Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO), the development wing of Nagaland Baptist Church Council, and Council of Baptist Churches North East India got underway Thursday here at DAN Centre, 4th Mile.
Resource persons in the morning session of the inaugural day were K Ela, director, Prodigals Home and Asha Sanchu, director, Miqlat Ministry, NBCC.
Speaking on the topic ‘Human trafficking & illegal child labour in NE India’, the director, Prodigals Home, said North East India has become a hub for human traffickers due to numerous factors such ignorance and lack of awareness about human trafficking, poverty, lack of opportunities, deteriorating work culture, poor governance and poor implementation of laws, conflicts and unrest and porous borders.
Ela said that in Nagaland the present scenario include cases where youth, women and girls are lured to other cities in the guise of free education, training and jobs; poor children from interior districts of Nagaland and neighbouring states are enticed with promises of education and salary but later forced to work as domestic helpers and bonded labourers; and rampant and illegal child adoption (both Naga and non-Naga children) by Naga families.
And who are the persons responsible for illegal child labour? They are the families who demand domestic child labour, officers posted in remote districts abetting in illegal transport of poor children for domestic works to towns and cities, inter-state traffickers and middlemen and, missionaries across borders and within the country, Ela said. The main actors in trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation are professionals (local and non-locals) luring girls into the flesh trade, migrant workers, women in prostitution, hotel managers and waiters, and town goons.
She also dwelled on the challenges vis-à-vis human trafficking and child labour such as absence of State policy, lack of coordination among key stakeholders, non-reporting of cases and poor handling of reported cases, customary practice of handling such cases and, an ignorant and judgmental society which stigmatizes and discriminates the victim.
Ela said some strategies for the way forward include educating the “demand side” (Families/homes/government officials) through respective government departments, churches, tribal hohos and village level organizations; educating the “supply side” (high risk groups like poor families, educated unemployed youth, women and girls); and safer migration strategy from state level down to the district, tribal, village and church levels.
She further stressed on a ‘State Policy’ and effective implementation of related laws through adequate capacity building of the stakeholders involved.
Director, Miqlat Ministry, Asha Sanchu, who spoke on “Biblical response to human trafficking”, said human trafficking is a global issue, which has turned into one of the fastest and most lucrative criminal activities.
While the Bible does not directly refer to human trafficking, Asha however stated that it does respond to the issues involved with human trafficking – to the evils that were involved with what happened to Joseph in the book of Genesis.
Quoting Genesis 1:26, she said ”since all human beings are created in God’s own image, they deserve basic dignity and should not be dehumanized, exploited or marginalized –all of which happen in human trafficking.” Further, Asha reminded the 3Ps (protect, prevent, prosecute) and 3Rs (Rescue, rehabilitate, reintegrate) are essential in one’s response to human trafficking.
In the afternoon session, the resource persons and their topics included Limasenla Lkr, advocate (Legal provision in response to human trafficking and child labour); Dr. Tiamenla Phom, ACP ‘O’ Division Dimapur (Indian Penal Code in relation to human trafficking with special focus on Nagaland) and Rev. Kabi Gangmei, APBAid official and development consultant, CBCNEI (Discussion and strategic planning for Nagaland).
According to director NDO, Rev. C Amop Noklang, human trafficking and HIV/AIDS are two pressing issues posing a direct challenge to the very fabric of society and that if preventive measures are not taken on urgent basis, they would “impact our families, our society, our identity and the Church at large.”
“We feel that it is high time for the churches to respond and act to sensitize and create awareness within our fellow believers and members”, Noklang said. Pastors including women and youth pastors and NGO representatives are taking part in the workshop.
Earlier, on September 26 evening, secretary, Justice & Peace department, CNCNEI, Malthyus D Sangma, briefed the delegates and participants on the purpose and goal of the workshop.
