False promises…a new life, money, a job, security, food, and shelter, are all tools used to lure millions of woman and children into slavery. Millions more are violently kidnapped, or sold by various family and friends. Hidden among the dark streets, millions of children live as the prey to greed. Used as a commodity's, their childhoods are stolen away before they even begin.
This week the fight to end human trafficking and slavery has been stepped up with a new UN initiative to fight human trafficking, which was launched in Delhi, India. The two-day conference, The Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (GIFT), South Asian Regional Conference on Human Trafficking, which which was held on October 10th and 11th, is expected to establish both a time frame, and specific goals to combat trafficking, for the next few years.
UN GIFT, is working towards a total of eight regional conferences, and “aims to mobilize state and non-state actors to eradicate human trafficking by (i) reducing both the vulnerability of potential victims and the demand for exploitation in all its forms; (ii) ensuring adequate protection and support to those who do fall victim, and (iii) supporting the efficient prosecution of the criminals involved, while respecting the fundamental human rights of all persons”.
India, has long since been a hotbed for human trafficking and slavery, and in many ways an epicenter for the trade which makes some $32 billion a year. India may be the largest democracy in the world, but they have yet to put an end to the archaic practices of the human flesh trade. Debt bondage plagues the countries rural areas, enslaving generations, young and old. Young children from neighboring Nepal and Bangladesh are being trafficked across the border for use in the sex trade and forced labor.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime is at the core of a new global initiative to combat trafficking by bringing government officials, law enforcement agencies, business leaders and representatives from the media and entertainment industry together, so that they can share ideas and raise funds for the effort to end human trafficking (UN seeks end to human trafficking). One can only hope that these eight conferences will help governments, NGO's, and citizens make the great strides that are desperately needed in the fight to end modern day slavery, in India and around the globe.
