HIGHLY AFFECTED, RARELY CONSIDERED > TRAFFIKING OF YOUNG NEPALI WOMEN
Darjeeling: three-day consultation on care and protection of survivors of trafficking held here at Sinclair hotel, Darjeeling, were representatives of several NGOs participated and raised the problems arising from the lack of rehabilitation centres and short-stay homes for women and children.The existing anti-trafficking laws were also discussed, which was organised by Sanlaap, a Calcutta-based organisation working against trafficking and exploitation of children. The South Asia regional office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also supported it.Every year, nearly 4,000 girls are trafficked across the Nepal border through Panitanki into India. About 3,000 children are being smuggled from north Bengal itself. “They end up as labourers or are forced into child prostitution,” said Indrani Sinha, the executive director of Sanlaap.“An initiative has been taken to set up rehabilitation centres in each subdivision of the district,” said P.K. Chhetri, the additional district magistrate. The efforts are being made for two homes each in Siliguri and Darjeeling and one in Kalimpong by NGOs, and on the lookout for a partnership in Kurseong. The plan of action has been drawn for counter-trafficking interventions, which will focus on prevention, prosecution, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration, said chairperson of the state women’s commission.
