In an attempt to combat humThe scheme aims to empower young boys and girls to make informed choices so that they are less vulnerable to trafficking and child marriage.an trafficking, the West Bengal government has rolled out a scheme, Swayangsiddha, in different districts of the State. Swayangsiddha, which means self-reliance, will be executed by the West Bengal Police.

Highlights of the scheme:-                                                                                                                                                                                           

1. The scheme aims to empower young boys and girls to make informed choices so that they are less vulnerable to trafficking and child marriage.
2. Swayangsiddha Groups have been formed in schools and colleges with interested students. These groups were formed with students between the age group of 12 to 21 years.
3. Raising awareness on human, gender and child rights and strengthening prevention of human trafficking and child marriage using a converging approach.
4. Engaging youth from different schools and colleges to combat human trafficking and child marriage.
5. Strengthening response mechanism in collaboration with Police and child protection committees to build a safe community.
6. Strengthening access to schemes and entitlements on education, training, livelihood and food security for vulnerable groups. 

As the per the NCRB data West Bengal has highest recorded case of trafficking among the States.

Formation of Swayangsiddha Committee (Block & District level) :–

• At block Level, Child Protection Committee conducts meetings 2 times in 1 month presided over by BDO to ensure that children from vulnerable families get necessary facilities. Shikshabandhu, Paralegal volunteers, Anwesha Clinic Counsellor, members of Panchayat / Wards provides cooperation to the Committee.
• A district level meeting will be organized under the leadership of DM/ADM in every 3 months duration. This meeting will address various issues through discussion. Best performing Swayangsiddha Group would be felicitated after 1 year by the district administration and the police. Now this scheme will be extended in all the districts.

Role ofSwayangsiddha Group Members to Combat Human Trafficking & Child Marriage 

The members of these groups takes place in the following activities:-

1. Mapping of natural resources of villages and to raise awareness in the community on rich cultural significance of their respective areas.
2. Cultural Map would be prepared to display the cultural tradition in the village and list of folk art & artists would be prepared to provide info. about human resources in villages.
3. List of families vulnerable to child marriage, human trafficking and illiterate families would be prepared and submitted to Child Protection Committee. The committee would then link these families to various government schemes and would prevent any illegal activity from happening.
4. Maintaining a list of illiterate people and school dropouts in nearby villages and will have to submit this list to schools and Panchayat.
5. Holding discussion sessions on the issues of human trafficking and child marriage in schools after prayer session. Celebrations of important days in schools to raise awareness.
6. Organizing activities like poster drawing, wall-painting, wall-writing, cultural programmes, street play, candle vigil, cycle rally etc.

Firstly Swayangsiddha Scheme was launched by the police in South 24 Parganas district.Now,West Bengal govt. is going to extend Swayangsiddha Scheme to all districts of the state.