World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023: Campaign against human trafficking held in Delhi’s red light area

Around 100 people, including students from JIMS College’s Psychology Department, social activists and lawyers, among others participated in the awareness drive that was part of the Delhi Police (Central Delhi) anti-human trafficking schemes called Viswas and Viram launched in February.

Surender Dalal, SHO, Kamla Market Police station said, “We (police) have zero tolerance towards minor trafficking, so we have strictly warned the brothels and other premises in the red light area of GB Road to not involve children and report the matter immediately. We also train our beat officers in that area from time to time to be alert on such cases. We want to put Viram (stop) to human trafficking and this way we can only establish Viswas (trust) among common masses.”

The walk also focused on raising awareness among the masses about the growing incidences of human trafficking. According to data tabled by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Parliament last week, more than 13.13 lakh women and girls had gone missing in India between 2019 and 2021. Of this, more than 20 per cent are girls under the age of 18 years.

“This was a first-of-its-kind campaign on human trafficking awareness that took place inside the red light area of Shradhanand Marg on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. We also interacted with the sex workers and made them aware of their rights and provided them with emergency numbers as well,” said Manobal founder Nirmala B Walter.