*all names and some details changed to protect identity 

A trafficker is an expert storyteller. Whether it is a promise of a happy marriage, a well-paying job in the city or an escape from the harsh realities of their victim’s present life, they know how to make an offer that one cannot refuse. This is one such story, where an 18-year-old girl was almost trafficked had it not been for the intervention of a group of girls in her village.  

Weaving a tale of deception 

It was a summer day, when Lata* approached a distraught Tabassum*. Tabassum was upset, as there was too much going on in her life. She had to quit school, her father had cancer, and the overall home environment was very violent. Eighteen-year-old Tabassum lived with her parents and siblings in a small village in rural West Bengal.  

Lata, her neighbour, had often come to her aid in the past and consoled her when things got out of hand. This time, she told Tabassum not to worry. She spoke about going out to a ‘’nice place’’ that was free from all this kind of stress. “Just come and visit this place with me. We will roam around and you will feel good,’’ said Lata to Tabassum.  

Not sensing the danger in Lata’s invitation, Tabassum took up the offer to get out of her house for some time. She did not tell anyone about this and just went along with the plan. After all, Lata was her friend and she understood her difficulties.  

The duo left early in the morning from their village. After roaming around for a while, Lata took Tabassum to a relative’s house on the pretext of some work. While there, Tabassum overheard Lata speaking to someone. “I heard her say to the person on the phone, that she is bringing me to Delhi,’’ says Tabassum.  

Tabassum sensed something fishy in Lata’s conversation and when she got the chance, she called up her brother-in-law. She informed him about what she overheard. Since the family knew Lata, they made repeated calls to her. At first, Lata ignored their calls, but later she said was not aware about Tabassum’s whereabouts. Lata then shifted Tabassum to another place and quietly returned to the village.  

Confronting the trafficker 

Once at the village, Tabassum’s mother confronted Lata. But to her dismay, Lata denied knowing anything and refused to divulge any details. Tabassum’s mother was extremely worried now. It was at this stage, a member of World Vision’s (WV) Sapna Girl Power Group (GPG), heard about Tabassum’s case. With tears in her eyes, Tabassum’s mother told the young member, “I do not know where my daughter has gone. She has been missing since morning!’’  

The GPG member calmly told her not to worry. She went on to explain what the Sapna Girl Power group does and how they can stop child marriage, trafficking, child labour, etc. by calling the various helplines. She encouraged Tabassum’s mother to call Childline (1098) or the police (100) to file a missing complaint.  

After giving all the details to the Police over the phone, the family visited the police station. However, the police did not register a formal complaint. Instead, they just gave the family assurances that their daughter would be home by evening. They also told them to check with other relatives if Tabassum could have gone to visit someone. After all, she was 18-years-old and could probably return in two or three days.  

The family suspected that Lata probably bribed her way out of this much before they got to the police station. Since traffickers have connections at various levels, it is very difficult to file cases because of this nexus.  

The power of Girl Power groups 

However, because of the mounting pressure on Lata in the village due to the involvement of the village panchayat members and the Girl Power group, Lata had no option but to bring Tabassum back home.  

While Tabassum’s family were out looking for her, Lata quietly brought her to the village by seven in the evening. She threatened her not to tell anyone about what happened and whom she was with that day. Later in the night, when the family returned, they found Tabassum waiting at home. They questioned her furiously about where she was the whole day and who did she go out with, but Tabassum was silent.  

She tells us, “I was scared and confused about where Lata was taking me. I trusted her, but now I do not… When I came home, I was frightened and didn’t want to say anything. They kept asking me what had happened. My mother shouted at me and beat me. She asked me why I do such things,” says Tabassum anxiously. It was only the next day that she told her family about going out with Lata. She narrated the lies Lata told her and how she had convinced her to stay at a relative’s place. 

After a few days, members from the Sapna Girl Power Group met Tabassum and spoke with her. They counselled her and encouraged her to join their group, saying she would learn new things. When the group learned about her desire to study, they enrolled Tabassum in a government school. They also requested support from World Vision India to provide her with books, stationery, a bag, and an umbrella, as her parents could not afford these essentials. 

Tabassum’s advice for young girls 

In hindsight, Tabassum realises her mistake and is now more cautious. When asked what advice she has for girls in her community, she says, “Do not go out with any strangers, unknown people, or any boys. Boys here are not good... Even when going with someone you know, you should be aware of where you are going and why.” 

She continues, “You must complete your education and then begin to earn. There is no substitute for studying and working hard. If someone promises you a good life and you are younger than 18 years of age, always make sure to confide in an elder.” 

Tabassum is now studying in the 8th grade and aspires to become a teacher in the future. Her favourite subject is Bengali, and she loves playing with her friends. She also enjoys attending her Girl Power group meetings and listens attentively to the advice given by the WV India volunteer. 

Education and Awareness, the way forward 

The Sapna Girl Power Group has 42 members and began its journey in January 2019. The girls chose the name Sapna, meaning “dream,” to reflect the diverse aspirations they hold for themselves and their community. This dynamic group of young women has tackled issues such as school dropouts, eve-teasing, trafficking, and has actively encouraged others to call the Child Helpline (1098) to report cases of abuse and exploitation. 

Girl Power Groups empower adolescent girls like Tabassum to protect themselves and their peers from traffickers. In their weekly meetings, members learn vital life skills, engage in Sports-4-Development through football, and receive education on personal safety, menstrual health, legal rights, and safe migration. The groups also identify and act on incidents of trafficking, child marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence by taking direct action, including using official helplines. 

Education and awareness are central to protecting girls from potential dangers. As Tabassum attends school and is part of the Girl Power Group, she now has access to both. She benefits from a support system that includes friends, teachers, and trusted adults' people she can confide in and rely on during difficult times. 

Girl Power groups during COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan 

According to Debu Patra, a Community Development Facilitator of WV India working on this project, the Girl Power groups have played an important role in curbing cases of trafficking and child marriage. During the COVID-19 lockdown and the subsequent disaster of Cyclone Amphan, the Girl Power groups intensified their efforts and remained alert and responsive to the needs of their community. They helped WV India staff identify the most vulnerable families and prevented many child marriages that could have taken place during the lockdown. 

Debu notes, “Through these groups, our girls have learned how to fight for their freedom and their rights. Whenever any incident happens involving a child in the community, they immediately inform us. Childline has also observed that areas with high reporting of cases are those where World Vision has formed these Girl Power groups. These groups are instrumental in providing accurate and timely information to help stop child marriage or trafficking in the community,” says Debu proudly. 

Through WV India’s Combat Child Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation Project in West Bengal, staff members prevented 13 cases (nine in Basanti and four in Siliguri) of child marriage and elopement between April and May 2020. In the previous year (2019), the project team stopped around 55 child marriages, 12 trafficking cases, and filed more than 30 First Information Reports (FIRs) in police stations. 

- Neola D’Souza 

Labels: #humantrafficking #trafficking #childabuse #childprotection #girl #girlchild #girlpowergroups #education #awareness #worldvision #worldvisionindia