New Delhi, December 4
The Ministry of Women and Child Development today launched Ujjawala, a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking, rehabilitation, rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked women and children, including cross-border victims.

The ministry hopes that Ujjawala will go a long way in tackling the problem of trafficking, a heinous crime especially when it comes to children, besides cutting entry points into the profession.

Considering that a vast majority of cross-border sex workers are from Bangladesh, India has already initiated a dialogue with the neighbouring country for a joint plan of action and setting up transit centres at the border.

With around three million sex workers, of which a shocking 40 per cent are children belonging to the age group of 6-8, minister for WCD Renuka Chowdhury admits that India has emerged as a source, destination and trafficking for both in-country and cross-border trafficking.

“Nothing can justify trafficking, especially when it comes to sexual exploitation of children. The growing incidence of trafficking in the country is a major concern for the government and my ministry has adopted a multi-pronged approach, which has legislation, policy and programmatic interventions to combat trafficking in a holistic manner,” Chowdhury said at the launch of the scheme.

It is in this context that the 100 per cent-Centre funded scheme has been formulated and included in the XIth Five Year Plan. For 2007-08, Rs 10 crore had already been sanctioned, said the minister adding that “Money will not be a problem. I will be able to raise resources as and when need appears.”

Rehabilitation and reintegration of victims is ultimate objective of the proposed scheme besides prevention of trafficking. Immediate relief that include food and shelter, trauma care and counselling will also be provided to rescued victims.

The proposed scheme will be implemented through NGOs and initially 50 projects to be taken up benefiting over 2,500 victims directly. One of the difficult tasks is repatriation of cross-border victims and the scheme will provide inputs for safe repatriation of such victims with shelter facilities at the borders. Corporate sectors are also being involved for skill training, capacity building, job placement and income-generating activities for rescued victims.

Referring proposed amendments to the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, Chowdhury said the Act was being amended to target traffickers and to withdraw provisions that re-victimise victims of trafficking.