Differently-abled:Scaling Up Educational Rights And Opportunities-SUMMARY OF YOJANA_MAY16

http://yojana.gov.in/details_leadarticle.asp?CoverId=90

India's population has increased by 22.4 percent between 2001 and 2011. The number of
disabled, which was 2.19 crore in 2001, rose in 20ll to 2.68 crore- l.5 crore males and 1.18 crore females. The growth rate of disabled population is more in urban areas and among urban females.
The decadal growth in urban areas is 48.2 per cent and 55 per cent among urban females.
Among scheduled castes, it is 2.45 per cent (Census 2011).

Where do We stand now?
India seems a long way to go to ensure educational rights of children with special needs if
we compare the number of persons with disabilities reported in 2011 population census and
number of children with special needs studying in primary and secondary schools. There is no
data on inclusion of children with special needs in 0-6 age group and in higher education. This
is one of the major gaps that exists today for planning purpose.
1. SSA Inclusive education scheme has included 10.7l lakh children with special needs.
2. Inclusive education of children with disabilities in Secondary schools around 2 lakhs children
with special needs.
3. Around one lakh children with special needs studying in 977 special schools.

The number of persons with special needs in the age group of 0-29 years who need access
to education is 1.23 crores as per 2011 Census data, out of which, 53.4 lakhs are girls and
women with special needs. At present, a 'conservative estimate' shows that around 20 lakhs
persons with special needs our studying in primary, secondary and special schools. The challenge
ahead is how to ensure educational access to the unreached children/persons with special
diverse needs.
It is not debatable that we have not been able to reach even 20 percent of our children/
persons with special needs though we have legislations such as Right to Education since 2005
and compulsory and free education to all children guaranteed in the Indian constitution. India
has signed many international declarations and treaties concerning rights of persons with disabilities
and the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed and ratified
by India in 2006. Article 24 of the CRPD refers specifically to education, and creates an obligation
for governments to do two things:
1. Provide education to children, youth with disabilities on an equal basis with other children;
and
2. Provide that education within an inclusive system.


NEP : Potential Game Changer
A comprehensive policy on education is basically a path finding effort to translate political
will and vision into action. Inclusion of the disadvantaged sections of our society into mainstream
education and development is a process, which needs identification and systematic removal of
socio-economic-cultural-political- administrative and other barriers on the road to inclusion.
A broader understanding of inclusive education is reflected in NEP-2015. Inclusive education
in the Indian context must include the diverse needs of SC/ST/Minorities/Children and young persons with disabilities, children living in extreme poverty and difficult challenging
conditions.
NEP adopts, for the first time in India, an Indian perspective to inclusive education reflecting
global concerns and commitments to which India is a participatory /signatory.

The key factors that may exclude children/persons with special needs from the mainstream
education can be:-
1. Policies that ignore education for all cannot be achieved unless children and youth with
disabilities are included in the mainstream education.
2. The framework for monitoring progress in achieving Education for All ignores children
and youth with disabilities.
3. Failure to identify and remove systemic barriers to inclusive education at planning,
administration, monitoring and implementation levels.
4. Lack of recognition of the factors that affect inclusive education are within the social gaps
that are existing in education of children and youth with disabilities among SC/ST/Minorities/
Gender discrepancies within these groups and in general.
5. Disability being a state subject/ PRI subject and education being a concurrent subject is
leading to gaps in educational access to children/young persons with disabilities across
the different states in India.

NEP 2015: Bridging the Social Gaps
NEP 2015 has adopted bottom-top approach, which opens' debates/ discussions, participation
of the community. This is a unique feature of NEP-2015 and the participatory approach
was essential for the policy makers to understand the concerns of the community and ground
realities and reflect these issues adequately in the policy framework. NEP 2015 on inclusive
education makes this attempt successfully. We see conceptual clarity of inclusive education
stated very clearly in the framework.
NEP 2015 has adopted bottom to top approach, which opens' debates/ discussions, participation
of the community. This is a unique feature of NEP-2015 and the participatory approach
was essential for the policy makers to understand the concerns of the community and ground
realities and reflect these issues adequately in the policy framework. NEP 2015 on inclusive
education makes this attempt successfully. We see conceptual clarity of inclusive education
stated very clearly in the framework.
NEP-2015 has included disability concerns in all components of the education system-be it
in education admission, admission policies, teacher training, curriculum development, teaching
strategies, learning materials, evaluation system, virtual learning platforms, etc. NEP 2015
has adopted an educational view to inc1usive education in place of disability view. NEP 2015
supports to move away from labeling and isolation of children with disabilities in segregated
environments. It aligns the inclusive vision and goals with specific, observable, measurable and
achievable steps towards ensuring that every child has the right to education in an enabling
and caring environment which does not discriminate the child based on disability and gender.
NEP- 2015 has tremendous potential to be a major game changer when it gets implemented at
the grass root level.


Data Base on Disability: Is it available?
In India, we need disability data for planning services leading to effective inclusion. This
demands innovative approaches as survey methodology cannot provide comprehensive information
about individuals with special needs. We need information on disability, socio-economic educational-
employment profiles, diverse needs of each person (rehabilitation needs, employment,
skill development, education etc) to plan services leading to effective inclusion at the
community level without disintegrating children with special needs away from their families.
India must introduce mandatory registration of persons with disabilities at community level/
school level/ ICDS levels. It could be achieved by introducing village disability registers, school
special needs registers, ward level disability registers and issue add on card to Aadhaar card /
ration cards. This digitized data could be used to provide smart ill cards replacing existing
paper based disability ill cards.

CBR programmes in India already use a system of Village disability registers to provide
community based inclusive services.
The other issues which are seen as a major barrier for inclusion are listed below:
1. Children with disabilities remain invisible to the education system;
2. Families are not supportive;
3. Teachers lack training, leadership, knowledge and support to adapt curriculum;
4. Poor quality education;
5. Poor access to: knowledge and information for -parents, teachers, administrators and policy
makers
6. No inclusive education infrastructure -governance, policy, planning, financing, implementation
and monitoring
7. Lack of public support for inclusion; and
8. Lack of accountability and monitoring mechanisms.

 The Census and data base on on Disability:
● The census data on disability covers more than it reveals. The identification of disabilities
needs skills especially to identify special needs (intellectual, sensory disabilities of mild and
moderate levels) which are not easily visible unless persons are trained in the identification.
● In India, we need disability data for planning services leading to effective inclusion. This
demands innovative approaches as survey methodology cannot provide comprehensive
information about the individuals with special needs.
● India must introduce mandatory registration of person with disabilities at community level/
school level/ ICDS level.The digitized data could also be used to provide smart ID cards
replacing existing paper based disability ID cards.

"Gram Uday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan"-SUMMARY OF YOJANA_MAY16

“Gram Uday se Bharat Uday" Abhiyan, -

(http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=138372
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ambedkar-birth-anniversary-villagers-to-take-tolerance-oath-on-ambedkar-birth-anniversary-birender-singh/)

A nation wide campaign on rural development
and social harmony was launched by the Prime Minister from Dr Ambedkar's birth place Mhow
in Madhya Pradesh on 14th April, 2016. The eleven day programme, to commemorate the
125th Birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, ended on 24th April 2016,
which was Panchayati Raj Day.
The campaign aimed to generate nation-wide efforts to increase social harmony across
villages, strengthen Panchayati Raj, promote rural development, and foster farmers' progress.

During the campaign, discussions on issues pertaining to rural development, improving farmer's
income, SC and ST welfare and social harmony were held on different platforms.
The programmes,included a 'Social Harmony Programme' in all Gram Panchayats, where
villagers honoured Dr. Ambedkar, and resolved to strengthen social harmony. Information
regarding the various schemes of the government to foster social justice was also provided.
Village Farmer Assemblies were organized in Gram Panchayats to promote agriculture. In these
assemblies, information on Fasal Bima Yojna, Social Health Card, etc. were provided to farmers
and their suggestions for bringing about improvements in agriculture solicited.
Gram Sabha meetings were held from 21st-24th April, 2016 across the country.
Preceding the main event of Gram Sabha meetings for Panchayati Raj Day, a National meeting of tribal women and Gram Panchayat Presidents from Fifth Schedule Areas of 10 States was held at
Vijayawada on 19th April 2016 focusing on Panchayat and tribal development.
The topics of
discussions in these Gram Sabhas included :-
• Gram Panchayat Development Plans for local economic development,
• Optimum utilization offunds available with Panchayati Raj Institutions, .Clean drinking
water and sanitation,
• Role of women in village and rural development,
• Social inclusion including welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, person with Disabilities
and other marginalized groups.
Information regarding various schemes for socio-economic development were also provided.

News for Prelims-(2015-2016)- Environment & Climate Change

                                                 

                                           Environment & Climate Change

Breakthrough Energy Coalition
A group of 28 investors from various countries have launched a new global consortium called –
Breakthrough Energy Coalition.
The members of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition include Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerburg, Jack Ma,
Jeff Bezos, Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani etc.The multi-billion dollar group is launched to develop
zero-carbon energy technologies. The group plans to invest in a number of sectors including
electricity generation and storage, transport, industry, agriculture and energy system efficiency.
http://www.breakthroughenergycoalition.com/en/news.html

Inle Lake in Myanmar
Myanmar has launched its first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – Inle Lake in Shan state. The lake was
designated under the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme in June 2015. The
wetland ecosystem of this freshwater lake is home to various wetland birds, freshwater fishes, otters
and turtles. The lake is reported to be the nesting place for globally endangered Sarus crane.
http://alittleadrift.com/2012/03/inle-lake-burma-myanmar/

India inks Raptor MoU
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on the
Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia. This MoU is also called as the
‘Raptor MoU’ under the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS). With signing it,
India will become the 54th signatory to the MoU.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/india-inks-pact-for-saving-birds-of-prey/article8333171.ece

Indian Long Term Ecological Observatories (I-LTEO)
To study the effects of climate change, India has launched long term ecological observatories (LTEO)
programme. Under the programme, eight long-term ecological observatories are opened to study the
health of eight different biomes. They will cover the Western Himalayas to Western Ghats, Eastern
Himalayas to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, central India to the Sunderbans, and from Jammu & Kashmir to Rajasthan and Gujarat. The initiative will help India to build capacity in study of impact of climate change on various ecosystems including human systems of agriculture and pastoralism. The development of scientific database in this key area will reduce the country’s dependence on studies done abroad.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/india-to-have-8-new-observatories-to-study-climate-change/article7960634.ece

International festival on Birds
Uttar Pradesh Government has launched International festival on Birds in a bid to promote state as
an international bird-watching destination. The first-of-its-kind festival was inaugurated by Chief
Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS).
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/agra-to-host-first-ever-international-bird-fete/article7946131.ece

Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF)
The World Bank has launched a $500 million Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF) to help
developing countries pay for emission reductions and combat climate change. The Transformative
Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF) will establish the world’s first programmatic carbon market. The
scheme will reward countries for reducing emissions by paying a fee for each tonne of carbon dioxide
(CO2) reduced. The facility will help countries implement their Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs).
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/11/30/new-500-million-initiative-to-boost-large-scale-climate-action-in-developing-countries

Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre
India’s biggest Wildlife Rescue Centre named as Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre has been
commissioned at Gorewada near Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is managed by the Forest Development
Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM).
http://www.buzzgk.in/2015/12/indias-biggest-wildlife-rescue-centre.html

Anticipate, Absorb, Reshape
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon along with 13 agencies of the UN system
has launched the new initiative titled “Anticipate, Absorb, Reshape” to build climate resilience in the
world’s most vulnerable countries. The 13 UN organisations participating in the Initiative are FAO,
UNEP, UNFCCC, UN-Habitat, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNOPS, UNISDR, WFP, OCHA,
WHO, and WMO. The initiative has been launched during the United Nations climate change
conference (COP21) in Paris. The initiative will enhance the ability of the countries to anticipate
climate hazards, absorb consequences and reshape development to reduce risks from climate hazards.
The initiative will also work on mobilizing finance and knowledge and to create and operationalize

partnerships to fight against climate change.
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/11/un-secretary-generals-initiative-aims-to-strengthen-climate-resilience-of-the-worlds-most-vulnerable-countries-and-people/

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE-IYB2016

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the apex body for the implementation of various programmes on a national scale in the areas of health and family welfare, prevention and control of major communicable diseases and promotion of traditional and indigenous system of medicines. The Ministry also assists in preventing and controlling the spread of seasonal disease outbreaks and epidemics through technical assistance. Expenditure is incurred by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare either directly under central schemes or by way of grants-in-aids to the autonomous/statutory bodies etc. and NGOs.
• In addition to the centrally sponsored family welfare programmes, the Ministry is implementing several World Bank assisted programmes for control of AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis in designated areas. Besides State Health Systems Development Projects World Bank assistance programmes are also under implementation in various states which are being implemented by the respective State Governments.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare only facilitates the states in availing of external assistance. All these schemes aim at fulfilling the national commitment to improve access to Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities keeping in view the needs of rural areas and where the incidence of disease is high. National Health Policy 2002 The National Health Policy (NHP) 2002 evolved from the National Health Policy of 1983 under the recommendation and guidance of ‘Bhore Committee Report’ of 1946 wherein the main underlying principles for future health development of the country, aiming that "No individual should fail to secure adequate medical care because of inability to pay for it." Concerning the complexity of modern medical practice, the aim is to
provide all the consultant, laboratory and institutional facilities necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment when fully developed.
The National Health Policy, 2002 framework envisages, accelerated achievement of public health goals in the backdrop of the socio-economic circumstances prevailing in the country.
Some of the salient aspects of the NHP 2002, inter alia, include:
i) Making good the deficiencies in availability of health facilities, narrowing the gap between various states,
ii) The gap across the rural-urban divide in attainment of health goals and reducing the uneven access to and benefits from the public health system between the better endowed and the more vulnerable sections of society.

National Health Mission
The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas,
ReproductiveMaternal-Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) and Communicable and Non- Communicable diseases. The NHM envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services that are accountable and responsive to people's needs. In terms of major initiatives taken under NHM is More than 8.96 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) have been appointed across the country and who serve as facilitators, mobilizers and providers of community level care. ASHA is the first port of call in the community especially for marginalized sections of the population, with a focus on women and children

It has two sub-missions:
i. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
ii. National Urban Health Mission (NURM)

National Rural Health Mission
The thrust of the mission is on establishing a fully functional, community owned, decentralised health delivery system with inter-sectoral convergence at all levels, to ensure simultaneous action on a wide range of determinants of health such as water, sanitation, education, nutrition, social and gender equality. It seeks to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare to the rural population, especially the vulnerable groups. Under NRHM, the
Empowered Action Group (EAG) states as well as North-Eastern States, J & K and Himachal Pradesh have been given special focus.

National Urban Health Mission
National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) approved by the Union Cabinet on May 1, 2013 as a sub-mission of NHM which seeks to improve the health status of the urban population particularly urban poor and other vulnerable sections by facilitating their access to quality primary healthcare. NUHM would cover all state capitals, district headquarters and other cities/towns with a population of 50,000 and above (as per census 2011) in a phased manner. Cities and towns with population below 50,000 will continue to be covered under NRHM. The Centre-State Funding Pattern for special category states have 90:10 whereas rest of the states have 75:25. Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram, National Ambulance Services, India Newborn Action plan, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram, Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakaram etc. are the components of National Health Mission.

National Commission on Population
Constituted on May, 2000 to review, monitor and give direction for the implementation of the National Population Policy (NPP), 2000 with a view to meeting the goals set out in the policy, to promote inter-sectoral coordination, involve the civil society in planning and implenmentation, gacilitate initiatives to improve performance in the demographically weaker states in the countryand to explore the possibilities of international cooperation in support of the goals set out in the National Population Policy. The NCP has been reconstituted with 40 members. The Prime Minister is the Chairperson of the NCP. The present membership includes the Chief Ministers of the States of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. As per NCP decisions there should be Annual Health Survey (AHS) of all districts which could be published annually so that health indicators at district level are periodically published, monitored and compared against benchmarks.

National Helpline: Aim is to provide reliable information of reproductive health, sexual health, contraception, pregnancy, child health and related issues. It is specifically for adolescents, newly married and about to be married persons from the high focus states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh but anyone of any age can seek help.



Family Planning Programme
The objectives, strategies and activities of the Family Planning division are designed and operated towards achieving the family welfare goals and objectives stated in various policy documents (NPP: National Population Policy 2000; NHP: National Health Policy 2002 and NRHM: National Rural Health Mission) and to honour the commitments of the Government of India (including ICPD: International Conference on Population and Development; MDG: Millennium Development Goals, FP; 2020 Summit and others).


The Child Health Programme
The Child Health Programme under the National Health Mission (NHM) comprehensively integrates
interventions that improve child survival and addresses factors contributing to infant and under 5 mortality. It is now well recognized that child survival cannot be addressed in isolation as it is intricately linked to the health of the mother, which is further determined by mother’s health and development as an adolescent. Therefore, the concept of continuum of care, that emphasizes care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival, has been adopted under the national programme. Another dimension of this approach is to ensure that essential services are made available at home, through community outreach and through health facilities at various levels (primary, first referral units and tertiary health care facilities). The newborn and child health are
now the two key pillars of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) strategic approach, 2013.


Public Sector Undertakings
Indian Medicine Pharmaceutical Corporation: A Government of India Enterprise having 97.61% shares of Government of India and 2.39% shares of Uttrakhand State Government through Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd., was in corporated in July 12, 1978. The registered office and factory of the company is at Mohan, District Almora, Uttarakhand. IMPCL comes under the Administrative Control of the Ministry of Ayush, New Delhi. IMPCL is supplying Ayurvedic and Unani medicines all over India. As the automation and 3rd phase modernization is under progress, the plant capacity for Tablets, Vati, Capsules, Churns, Avaleha, etc. will be enhanced at least by 8 to 10 times on completion of modernization work. The sales during the year 2014- 15 were approximately Rs. 32 crore.

• Drug Quality Control
The Drug Control Cell (DCC) in the Ministry of AYUSH deals with regulatory and quality control matters of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs including amendment in the regulations, introduction of new regulations and examination of other drugs related issues.
During 2015-16, the Drug Control Cell has taken a number of steps for regulation and quality control of AYSUH Drugs. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines for Ayurveda, Siddha Unani Drugs have been finalized and one training programme/workshop in Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM), Ghaziabad was organized for capacity building on regulatory aspects, which was attended by State Drug Inspectors and Licensing Authorities of AYUSH.

Several Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed with various countries during
2015. These are:

1. A letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between University of Strasbourg, France and The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Science (CCRAS) during the visit of Indian Prime Minister of India to France in April, 2015;

2. An MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine between Government of India and Government of Mongolia was signed on May 17, 2015;

3. Cabinet had approved the extension of tenure of the MoU signed with SATCM, China after its expiry for further period of five years up to 2017;

4. The Ministry of AYUSH agreed to provide one Yoga Expert to Yoga College to be established under Yunnan Minzu University, China. An MoU in this regard was signed between Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the University at China;
5. The Ministry of AYUSH supported by providing Yoga experts and financial assistance for organization of Yoga-Taichi event in China during the visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to China in May, 2015;
6. An MoU was signed between CCRAS and Rangsit University, Thailand on June 29, 2015 for setting up of Ayurveda Chair;
7. The Ministry of AYUSH had set up an AYUSH Information Cell in the premises of Indian Consulate at Dubai, UAE. The Cell was inaugurated on June 21, 2015;
8. The Ministry organised an 'International Conference on Yoga for Holistic Health' on June 21-22, 2015 consequent to the adoption of resolution for observing June 21 as the International Day of Yoga;
9. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Turkmenistan on Cooperation in Yoga and Traditional Medicine on July 11, 2015 during visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India of Turkmenistan. The Centre established under the MoU was inaugurated during visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on July 11, 2015.

ENABLING WOMEN TO EXIT BRIDE-TRADE-Yojana April Summary

1.http://aninews.in/newsdetail2/story253771/enabling-women-to-exit-bride-trade.html

2.http://www.shortindia.com/sify-news/enabling-women-to-exit-bride-trade-135695.html

3.http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/when-women-come-cheaper-than-cattle/story-EJD38cJ4kaTGVn03LJzUkJ.html

Introduction

Zahida, 40 is overcome Zwith sorrow as she recalls with a sense of bitterness, how she was

taken far away from her' home in Assam, forced into a life of extreme humiliation and loss of

dignity. "My own brother for a paltry sum of Rs. 2,000 married me off to Khursheed from a

village in Haryana'' she laments.

There are hundreds of women driven by desperate circumstances who find themselves

caught in a web of promised marriages in areas far, from their own villages, mostly outside

their state. The marriage however is only a cover up for an ugly truth of bride trade or bride

trafficking. The. 'marriage' is nothing short of being; 'sold' to a man for a sum of money, a

transaction that often involves the immediate family members or relatives of the woman, as in

Zahida's case.

Bride trade is akin to trafficking for a sex. Girls and women are 'sourced 'as 'brides' from

states including Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and

Maharashtra. They are then brought to Haryana, Punjab and other 'destination' states to be

'married' rather to be 'sold' as brides and then treated as a sex object, domestic worker and

literally a slave.

NGO: Empower People

According to Shafique Rahman Khan, Founder and Executive Director, Empower People,

a Haryana-based NGO focusing on rescue of victims of bride trafficking and honour crimes

against women, "Each time, a woman to is 'sold' as a bride, she is required to fulfill all the duties

of a wife without being given either the rights or the privileges of a married woman." Says

Khan, the majority of these women have no voice in household matters and are not allowed to

attend festivals. Several women do not even figure on the Electoral Roll.

The organisation began its work in 2006, works not only with victims of trafficking" but

focuses equally on those who are vulnerable to being trafficked. The emphasis is on the creation

of supportive networks and this has led to active engagement with religious/ ethnic leaders,

community members. and other stakeholders.

Social composition of women being trafficked

A study conducted by Empower People in 2012-13 showed that amongst the women,

trafficked majority (79 per cent) were from Muslim families. 17 per cent were from ST and 4 percent from the SC community. The study also showed that even if a woman exits the network,

she is liable to be trafficked again. 56 per cent women have been trafficked twice, 21 per cent

women a have been trafficked three times and 6 per cent women more than thrice. The team at

Empower People,understood that there have to be safeguards to prevent a relapse into trafficking.

A powerful safeguard is to secure their identity proof. Without" this, they remain nameless,

faceless. and without any official identity and even if they have been rescued once but once

again find themselves in vulnerable circumstances that drag them back into the trade.

What NGO do?

The organization stresses on establishing the identity of trafficked brides by registering

them in the Electoral Roll or enabling them to get a ration card. Empower People facilitated the

process of getting an identity proof. They gave her information on the legal aspects of her situation

and then inducted her into a vocational training programme to enable to learn a skill,

earn a living, and live a life of dignity.

Conclusion

Trafficking is a reflection of extreme vulnerability of women and girls, especially from

marginalised communities and is indeed a horrifying aspect of an unequal society that treats

women as 'commodities'. By addressing the mammoth issue of trafficking in a small way, Empower People is enabling hundreds of women such as Zabida to find their way back from its

grip to a more secure, safer, dignified existence that was their right in the first place.