Transnational Border Monitoring
It's unfortunate that open borders can be exploited by perpetrators to traffic vulnerable girls and boys, often under the guise of promising them better opportunities abroad. Addressing the root causes of human trafficking, such as lack of employment and education opportunities, is crucial in combating this issue in South Asia.
Our anti-human trafficking border monitoring initiative are incredibly impactful. By intercepting vulnerable individuals before they fall victim to trafficking, you're not only preventing harm but also disrupting the cycle of exploitation. It's initiatives like these that can make a significant difference in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
In the first six months of 2024, the number of intercepted children at the Indo/Nepal transnational border locations have reached147. The fight for these young lives continues on as we work to protect those most venerable.
Here is a story of Susmita, a 15-year-old girl…
Susmita, belonging to the Dalit community and facing economic disadvantages, had to drop her schooling at the sixth grade due to her family's financial struggles. Susmita and her older sister worked as daily-wage laborers since their father's crop cultivation on others' lands could not sustain them throughout the year. Their father, a migrant worker, worked abroad but succumbed to alcoholism and ultimately abandoned the family altogether. Meanwhile, their mother also sought employment in India due to lack of support.
Left as siblings without proper parental guidance, Susmita met a 30-year-old man, Salu, who promised to buy her new clothes and gifts on the other side of town. Without informing anyone, she went left with the man, only to find out later that they were headed to India. However, upon reaching the border town, Salu revealed his true intentions, mentioning an hourly motel room he had paid for where he violated Susmita multiple times.
Our border monitoring team noticed them trying to cross the Nepal border into India to catch a train for India. When questioned, Susmita insisted they were only going to buy clothes. Suspicions arose when their answers did not match, leading to individual questioning.
Susmita was unaware of Salu's marital status and identity—Anwar Aalam. Our team recognized the potential for human trafficking and sexual violation that already existed, the anti-trafficking border monitoring team, in collaboration with Community Police, contacted Susmita's relatives. Given the status of Susmita’s vulnerable situation with both parents being absent, Susmita is at our shelter while legal action has been taken against the perpetrator.
There are so many stories of young victims like Susmita which truly underscores the importance of vigilant border monitoring, effective awareness campaigns in preventing human trafficking, and the importance of providing needed support and protection to individuals susceptible to exploitation due to economic vulnerabilities.
Join The Rescue Team
The work the AFI rescue teams are doing is undeniably crucial. The plight of Nepalese girls being seduced and sold into slavery is heartbreaking, and every effort to save them is invaluable. By joining our rescue team through a gift, individuals have the opportunity to directly contribute to saving lives and offering hope to those caught in the grip of oppression. Empowering these rescue teams with the resources they need is a tangible way to make a difference and support the cause of ending human trafficking.