Child trafficking is a serious crime and worst form of human rights violations prevalent in many parts of our country; thereby causing a deterrence in achieving the goal of a New India, a Progressive India. Combating Child Trafficking requires interventions and attention of a cross section of stakeholders. The porous international borders shared by several districts of our country amplify the conditions that enable and attract traffickers. Children become soft targets who fall prey to the clutches of these predators constantly in search of their prey. The victim children encounter severe forms of exploitation, such as physical, sexual and emotional violence, abuse, torture, and trauma, forced and bonded labour, forced marriages and practices like slavery etc. The cruelty and injustice faced by the victims of child trafficking often go beyond comprehension; their lives scarred and beyond repair; deprived of rights.

To combat the menace of child trafficking, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), an apex statutory body constituted under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, an Act of Parliament of India has been taking ongoing steps under its mandate and jurisdiction. In this connection, NCPCR is commemorating “World day against Human Trafficking” observed on 30^th July, 2022.

On this occasion, NCPCR with support of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) and District Administration is driving 25 days campaign i.e. “बाल तस्करी से आज़ादी” on “Combating Child Trafficking” from (1^st August, 2022 to 25^th August, 2022) in 75 bordering Districts of India (List attached) as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India.

In this regard, District level Sensitization programme in selected 75 Districts shall be participated by representatives from Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs), Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPOs) of Thanas, Child Welfare Committee (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Special Forces active in the district on Human Trafficking issues, in the identified 75 Bordering Districts of our country. During this campaign, NCPCR officials will be visit bordering villages and celebrate its 75^th independence day with the children of bordering districts.

The main objective of this campaign is to sensitize the key stakeholders on basic indicators to identify children at risk, vulnerable children, and prevention for combating child trafficking in bordering districts of India. Expert Resource Persons from the Commission, Chairperson/Member of the State Commissions and subject experts shall be making a presentation on the subject matter and after interactive session shall plan a road map for combating child trafficking in bordering districts.

Under the campaign 75 bordering districts of our country will be witnessing the awareness & sensitization programme for multi stakeholders on combating this menace of child trafficking and preventing children from this serious crime.

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