NEDAN‟S Newsletter

Page 1

Human Trafficking in North

Eastern Region, India

Page 2 Combating Cross Border Hu-

man Trafficking between

North East India with South Asia Nominated as a member of SAIEVAC Page 3

Imparted Training to State Anti

Human Trafficking Police Of-

ficers

Imparted Training to Stake-holders

Page 4

North East Trafficked Survi-

vors Network Forum Initiative

Page 5

Rescue and Repatriation

Page 6

Prevention of Human Traffick-ing– by Empowering Adoles-

cents

Promoting Higher Education

IT Empowerment for girls

Page 7

Protecting Girl Child through

the Campaign „ SAVE GIRL

CHILD”

Child Friendly Campaign

Page 8 Youth Against Human Traf-

ficking

Page 9–Page10

Re-integration/ Livelihood

Programmes

Page 11

Weaving Destination Liveli-

hood Campus

In this Issue

NEDAN Foundation’s Initiative to End Violence against Women and Children

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Assam, North East, India

Volume 1 August 2014

Human Trafficking in North Eastern Region, India

Human Trafficking is growing because it is the easiest source of earning huge sum of

money. Human Trafficking violates the very fundamental right of a person to live with

dignity. Women and children are sold, kidnapped, forced to work as bonded labour,

sex trade which is in huge rise in the entire North East Region. The UN defines,” hu-

man trafficking as an act of recruiting, transporting, harboring or receiving a person

through use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them.” This

definition clearly states there are false promises, lies or an act of force involved in hu-

man trafficking .

According to UNDP Report 300000 to 450000 people are trafficked within Asia each

year, of which more than half take place in South Asia. Women and children, particu-

larly girls are trafficked within country boundaries to other countries within region and

across region beyond South Asia.

Missing from Assam (2009-May

2014)

The following data shows the rising crime

against women in Assam , North East Re-

gion by National Crime Record Bureau:

Girls: 5023

Boys:2765

Traced: Girls(2305):Boys(1264)

Arrested (July 2011-April2014):

281

---------------- ------------------------------

(Source: CID, Assam)

Human trafficking in Assam or say the entire North East is alarming. It has been in

existence since the early day but gradually the human trafficking is increasing with

great speed. Assam is being ranked as one of the eight Indian states with regard to

child trafficking (UNODC, REPORT 2013). The Bodoland Territorial Council, (BTC)

Assam has various problems like huge IDP, poverty, unemployment, forced migra-

tion, ethnic conflict and natural disasters. Ethnic conflict related to IDP is one of the

important factors contributing to underdevelopment, aggravated vulnerability, and rise

of human trafficking in the North East region as a whole.

NEDAN Foundation has been the pioneer in combating cross border human trafficking between North East India with

South Asia. North East India share porous borders with

South Asian Countries such as Bhutan in North, Bangladesh in

South, Myanmar in East and Nepal in West. NEDAN Founda-

tion work in North Eastern Region and the SAARC Nation

through network partnering. As North East India share longest

porous border with other South Asian countries, NEDAN

since its inception has been trying to build regional collabora-

tion with SAARC countries in order to build a strong network

to fight the case of trafficking. NEDAN has established strong networking with Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and

Myanmar in combating cross border human trafficking . NEDAN has also been advocating with SAARC / SAIEVAC

on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Rescue, Repatriation and Reintegration (RRR). NEDAN in collaboration

with Bhutan drafted SOP as standard guideline to combat cross - border human trafficking on RRR principle - Res-

cue, Repatriation and Reintegration.

Nominated as a National Board Member of NACG/SAIEVAC

NEDAN has been nominated as a national board

member of National Action and Co-ordinating

Group of South Asia Initiative for Ending Vio-

lence Against Children (SAIEVAC) and focal for

the regional reporting member on Child Traffick-

ing to South Asia Initiative to End Violence

against Children (SAIEVAC), an apex body of

South Asian Association for Regional Coopera-

tion (SAARC).

Combating Cross Border Human Trafficking between North East, India with South Asia

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –2-

Nedan Foundation has substantial experience having worked over

a period of time in trans-border areas and networked with various

stakeholders. NEDAN has been conducting / imparting various

training programme and workshops to various stakeholders in

order to strengthen the capacity and building conceptual clarity

on human trafficking definition.

Imparting Training to Stakeholders

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –3-

NENFATH Capacity Building

NEDAN have been working in the North East region and established -North East Network Forum Against Traffick-

ing and HIV (NENFATH) within the eight states of North East. The periodical workshop and seminars are con-

ducted in order to build the capacity and clarity to NENFATH in countering cross border trafficking. NEDAN is also

building the capacity of North East Network Forum members by providing consultation workshops focusing on

cross-border trafficking and discrimination against survivors of trafficking. NEDAN ‟S effort is to combat trafficking

in the cross-border areas in North-East along with NENFATH partners since region shares long porous borders with

South Asia.

With the history of rescuing and repatriating sur-

vivors in different states of North East and metro

cities of India, since its inception NEDAN has res-

cued and repatriated 545 women and girls in the

region. The year 2010 NEDAN Foundation has

been the member of Anti Human Trafficking in

Assam. NEDAN Foundation joined hand together

with the state government to work closely in

combating inter state trafficking as well as inter

districts trafficking. NEDAN is also co-ordinating

with the state govt. for rescue and repatriating

children from different states of India. Assam

State Government and NEDAN Foundation has

imparted training to State Anti Human Trafficking

Police Unit at CID Head Quarter Assam, where

police unit of different ranks comprising of both

the gender are trained periodically. Besides, NE-

DAN is also providing various data on missing

children to the CID headquarter of Assam.

Imparted Training to State Anti Human Traf-

ficking Police Officers

Data Collected from 27 districts of Assam, North East, India

Heads 2 0 0

2

2003 2004 2 0 0

5

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

M i s s i n g

Male Child

297 315 323 254 470 302 341 338 292 709

M i s s i n g

F e m a l e

Child

382 369 349 319 419 386 499 475 488 1416

T o t a l

C h i l d re n

Missing

679 684 672 573 889 688 840 813 780 2125

T r a c e d

Male Child

56 101 99 151 177 28 41 130 155 366

T r a c e d

F e m a l e

Child

60 125 118 129 134 41 67 180 245 830

T o t a l

T r a c e d

Children

125 226 217 280 311 69 108 310 400 1196

The data given below shows the number of missing children reported from27

districts from the year 2002 to 2011:

North East Trafficked Survivors Network Forum Initiative

Since the inception of the NEDAN Foundation it was a felt

need to set up a forum for the human trafficking survivor‟s net-

work to decentralize network activities and raise the voices by

the survivors collectively in the region. The survivors them-

selves who have witnessed and went through the difficulties can

raise their voice and work to support the other fellow members

in the region in a better mode than any other individuals. NE-

DAN has supported the survivors in setting up the network fo-

rum in Bodoland level first and slowly build a larger network in

the region and has helped the survivors in gaining support from

the other stakeholders in the dire of need. In BTC level all the

members associated with NEDAN and their name for entitle-

ment rights has been submitted to respective district social wel-

fare department govt. of Assam.

NEDAN Foundation undertook an exposure visit cum caravan campaign on “World Against Trafficking in Per-

son” from Kokrajhar to Guwahati on 30th July 2014. A total

number of 16 girls were taken to Accoland, Guwahati as an

exposure visit. Discussion was done on the existing sce-

nario of trafficking cases in Kokrajhar district and ensured

the girls to prevent themselves from falling prey in the

hands of traffickers. The girls were encouraged to raise

awareness in their own respective places on issue of human

trafficking and to take action against this heinous crime if

such cases occur in their places. The messages shared with

the girls will be passing on among their peers / friends cir-

cle and communities residing in the interior areas and thus

such small act will be helpful in preventing vulnerable girls

being trafficked for various purposes. It was a wonderful

journey, initiated first time by NEDAN Foundation and which will be undertaken every year on 30th of July respec-

tively to mark the occasion.

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –4-

NEDAN carry out direct rescue operation along with vari-

ous students union, police officials and civil society or-

ganizations. NEDAN also conduct random checking in

the rail line which connects North East with rest of India.

Many traffickers are caught from Bongaigaon and Kokra-

jhar railway station with the help of government railway

police. As many as 110 young girls are untraceable from

the IDP of Bodoland Territorial Council. From 2004-

2014 NEDAN FOUNDATION along with Police has ar-

rested 21 traffickers and put them in the prison and res-

cued and repatriated 545 trafficked women and girls in

the region.

After rescue, the survivors are given counseling or

taken to a psychiatrist according to the need and repa-

triated to respective home. After being repatriated also

NEDAN keep continuous touch with the survivor and

create livelihood opportunities in order to make them

economically empowered and save them from being re-

trafficked. In case of children we hand them over to the

CWC for the care and protection need of the children.

The recent Assam state govt. report published on Traf-

ficking of women and Children highlights Assam as

source destination state of the entire North East region

and six districts of the state are identified as child traf-

ficking hub in the state.

Rescue and Repatriation Direct Intervention by NEDAN from 2004-2014:

Year Total Res-

cued

Minor Adult

2004 200 73 127

2005 6 6

2006 70 25 45

2007 68 13 55

2008 49 3 46

2009 42 10 32

2010 11 4 7

2011 18 1 17

2012 19 2 17

2013 15 15 0

2014 47 32 15

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –5-

Promoting Higher Education to adoles-

cent and drop out girls to Prevent Traf-

ficking

NEDAN has 350 adolescents and promoted

Higher Education to the survivors and drop out

potential tribal girls from targeted vulnerable

location. We identify school drop- out girls and

ongoing school girls through school visit and

parents meet.

Till date 150 girls are enrolled in different

schools and colleges. The girls were provided

with text books, uniform and other study materi-

als. The fulfillment of girls‟ right to education is

first and foremost obligation and moral impera-

tive and therefore, NEDAN is immensely happy

for being able to reach out economic empower-

ment of girls and re-enrollment of vulnerable

tribal school drop out girls. This initiative of

promoting higher education for highly potential

vulnerable girls, rescued trafficked survivors

and returnee girls from the source districts of

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), has not

only provided education avenue but also make

collectivization of voices for their rights and

education.

Build skills on IT (Information and Technology) in

order to make the tribal adolescent girls equip in mod-

ern technology as in today's world it is a need of an

hour. With that aim in mind, NEDAN initiated impart-

ing IT skills to identified school and college drop– out

girls. Recently on 5th of July we launched Free Sum-

mer IT training for adolescent‟s girls from all location

including rescued girls who are residents at Weaving

Destination Livelihood Campus. Total 20 adolescent

girls were shortlisted who completed their one month

free course at the NEDAN Secretariat Training Hall

and received their certificate. NEDAN Foundation has

been imparting IT empowerment to the school and col-

lege drop out girls, trafficked survivors and highly po-

tential girls. Certificate in Diploma Technology Appli-

cation as 3 months course, Diploma in Information Ap-

plication for 1 year course is designed to equip the

tribal youth in IT.

IT Empowerment for Adolescents Girls

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –6-

Prevention of Human Trafficking by Empowering Adolescents

NEDAN being an active organization in protecting

children and women always initiate new ideas and innovation to spread the message for the need to prevent and stop

exploitation of children. More than 100 girls of Kokrajhar joined hands in launching the campaign of NEDAN

„SAVE GIRLS CAMPAIGN‟ at Kokrajhar , to mark the occasion of International Day of Girl Child. A BIG CAKE

with the message SAVE GIRLS and PROUD TO BE GIRL written on the cake had been prepared. The celebra-

tion of International Day of Girl child was held at NEDAN FOUNDATION‟s office lounge and girls were also joined

by mothers to be part of the campaign – “SAVE GIRLS CAMPAIGN‟ Kokrajhar. The program schedule was pre-

pared in such a way with lots of games, music and dance. The aim of the program initiative is to build the skills and

education to the girls not to fall prey in the hands of unscrupulous agents/ traffickers.

Protecting Girl Child through the Campaign ‘SAVE GIRL CHILD”

Assam is known for child trafficking and missing chil-

dren hub state in entire North East, India. Assam is

also second rank in child trafficking according to the

national report 2012. It has reported cases of 4234 chil-

dren missing and 14 districts of Assam are declared

child trafficking source districts. NEDAN being active

in countering trafficking in the region took the oppor-

tunity of bringing all the concern stakeholders on-

Children‟s Day- a day dedicated to children was ob-

served as an event in order to celebrate childhood and

promote awareness about children‟s rights including

right to education particularly „Child Trafficking‟. On

this auspicious day NEDAN Foundation launched a

campaign „Child Friendly Kokrajhar‟ as to create a

safe environment where children can grow without fear

and exploitation as a responsible citizen of the country.

CHILD FRIENDLY CAMPAIGN

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –7

NEDAN carry out campus level talk program in order to

make the children and youth aware of the serious issue of

human trafficking and to remain alert and make others

alert too. NEDAN reach out various schools, colleges, uni-

versities and RSTC centres in order to make the children

and youth aware about the rising crime. We reached out

approximately 15000 youths till date. Peace building and reconciliation has been one of NE-

DAN‟s ongoing programs in IDP. NEDAN‟S motive is

to bring unification among different communities and

motivate them to join hands in peace building within

communities. NEDAN reach out entirely displaced/

conflict area and sensitize the entire population. Re-

cently NEDAN took the initiative of organizing a peace

caravan from 12th May -14th May 2014 in the conflict

torn area of Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Chirang in order to

bring normalcy, peace and unity among the communi-

ties. Along with the Peace Caravan NEDAN has also

distributed poster and pamphlets on the message of Traf-

ficking ALERT in the displaced areas of the Peace

Caravan covered areas.

Reach out to Internally Displaced Population Campus Talks in Schools/ College/University

NEDAN Foundation work with youth in order to disseminate infor-

mation, bring positive growth and role of youth in both rural and ur-

ban in fighting against trafficking. Human Trafficking is the worst

form of violence. And youth has a very important role to play in curb-

ing the rising evil. Every year NEDAN Foundation brings 800-1000

youth on International Youth Day in order to make the youths aware

about trafficking. This year on 12th August NEDAN celebrated Inter-

national Youth Day focusing on three thematic areas: Youth Against

Human Trafficking, Youth in Entrepreneurship & Peace and Youth

and IT Empowerment. Youths from various schools, colleges and uni-

versity from Kokrajhar district has taken active participation. Through

this NEDAN envisage to impart youth education on human trafficking .

YOUTH AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –8-

NEDAN support young girls and women belonging to poorest of the poor and vulnerable categories.

School drop outs, trafficked victims, returnee domestic worker and those at heightened risk of being traf-

ficked are our target beneficiaries. The organization also undertakes field visits and home visits in order to

find out the beneficiaries for our project. Once we find out/ identify the targeted group, we give orientation

on social entrepreneurship like setting up own tea stalls, food stalls, mushroom cultivation, pickle making,

opening beauty parlour and tailoring shop.

Reintegration/ Livelihood Programme

Residential training on Orientation and Capacity

Building on Social Entrepreneurship program was

conducted at Weaving Destination Campus. NE-

DAN give training on Social Entrepreneurship De-

velopment for identified vulnerable girls at the

Weaving Destination Campus Training Hall located

at Anthaigwlao, Kokrajhar, Bodoland Territorial

Council (BTC). In 2014 we have completed four

training sessions starting from the month of April,

May and June where 100 of young girls and women

are imparted training.

NEDAN enroll the deprived women in 3-6

months vocational training course. After the

training they will be provided sewing machine

and essential material in order to run their own

entrepreneurship centre. In the month of March

2014 we set up a tailoring centre in Grahampur,

Gossaigaon for a group of 13 trained vulnerable

drop out tribal girls.

Nedan Foundation also provide support to beauty

parlour course to the interested recued girls, drop

out and those highly vulnerable of being traf-

ficked. After completion they can open their own

parlour shop under the aegis of NEDAN Founda-

tion. This initiative is functional and some more

identified girls will be enrolled in phase manner

in order to create alternative livelihood.

Training of Women and girls on Social

Entrepreneurship programme

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –9

Vocational Training

As part of the initiative to support the interested

drop out tribal girls, Nedan Foundation has estab-

lished a food processing unit at Joypur IDP, Kokra-

jhar for 12 trained girls. We have also tied up with

the department of agriculture, Kokrajhar in order to

train the girls.

Mushroom farming requires minimal investment and

has a very short growth period. Nedan Foundation

has already started and demonstrated the feasibility

of cultivating mushroom. Nedan Foundation has

trained 50 women on mushroom cultivation out of

which 18 members has already set up a training cen-

tre in Serfanguri, Kokrajhar district. They named

their group Ronjali self help Group.

NEDAN have been enhancing livelihood through

piggery to the most vulnerable women in distress as

there is a high demand in this area. With the amount

they earn after selling pigs they can purchase more

numbers of pigs which will indeed help them to ex-

pand their business and increase their income and

gradually overcome poverty. At present we are pro-

viding this livelihood opportunity to single women

who are vulnerable from various forms of exploita-

tion.

Livelihood through Food Processing Piggery

Mushroom Resource Centre

Self-Supportive Business Initiative:

NEDAN Foundation formed a group of women

vegetable vendors comprising of 6 members from

Runikhata, BTC, Assam, in which 20 thousand has

been deposited in the joint account of their group as

cash credit seed money.

From that money members of the vegetable vendors

group access as cash credit with limited amount of

money to carry out day to day business in the local

market.

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –10-

It is an entity in itself initiated by NEDAN in the year

2008.Weaving Destination has been till date the most

successful social enterprise in the region. NEDAN em-

power and improve the well-being of women through

the development of social enterprise and a safe work-

ing environment. This initiative was appreciated by

„The Melting Pot Social Innovation Incubator Award,

UK for reaching out the market accessibility in Scot-

land, UK. Weaving Destination, Chandrapara-

Kokrajhar has been successful in establishing a sus-

tainable business model for women. The beneficiaries

consist of survivors, women living with HIV together

with other vulnerable women and girls. At present

there are 222 women associated with WD campus.

WD currently have 222 women and girls for weaving,

stitching, tailoring and aims to establish itself within

national and international market for their weaved pat-

terns and various market. The products produced by

weaving destination are also sold through online and

offline in UK and Europe: see the link:::::

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WeavingDestination.

Weaving Destination Livelihood Campus

WD fabric showcased in European Coun-

tries

NEDAN‟S Newsletter Volume 1, Page –11-

NEDAN FOUNDATION

Ward No 11, Bodofa Nwgwr, Kadamtola

P.O. : Titaguri, Dist: Kokrajhar

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) , Assam-783374

North East, India

Email: nedan_ne@yahoo.co.in, Website: www.nedan.in

Facebook: nedanfoundation@yahoo.in

Phone: 03661218008

Volume 1 August 2014

“Let’s Come Together and Eradicate the Modern Day Slavery from this World”

CONFLICT HOT SPOT BTC MAP