Anti-trafficking project In West Bengal

Context:

• Riding on the success of a project to tackle human trafficking and prevent child marriage in two districts of the state, the West Bengal government has decided to spread the scheme to other districts as well.
• It was launched in 2016 in Jalpaiguri district of north Bengal and South 24 Parganas in the south.
  

Swayangsiddha project

• The West Bengal government has rolled out a scheme “Swayangsiddha” in different districts of the state to combat human trafcking.
• The aim of the scheme is to empower young boys and girls to make informed choices so that they are less vulnerable to trafcking and child marriage.
• Swayangsiddha, which means self-reliance, will be executed by the West Bengal Police.
• As the per the NCRB data West Bengal has highest recorded case of trafcking among the States.
• Around 3,000 traffickers have also been arrested in this period of two years. We have been able to raise the awareness level of at least 2 lakh students studying in 500 schools.
• The project envisions empowering young girls and boys with knowledge and skills so that they are able to make informed choices and become less vulnerable to violation of their rights.
• Swayangsiddha Groups have been formed in schools and colleges with interested students in the age group of 12 to 21 years. Child Protection Committee is monitoring and guiding these groups.

By: Ziyaur Rahman