Causes of Women’s Trafficking in India

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and it remains a persistent issue in many parts of the world, including India. Defined as the illegal trade of humans for purposes such as sexual slavery and forced labour, human trafficking claims millions of victims globally. India, with its vast population and socioeconomic disparities, is a significant hotspot for human trafficking.

According to the Global Slavery Index, there are an estimated 8 million trafficking victims within India. In 2016, 8,132 human trafficking cases were reported in India, a 20 per cent increase from 2015 and 23,117 people were rescued from trafficking. A significant portion of these victims are women and girls, highlighting the gendered nature of this crime.

Gender-Based Discrimination

Cultural Norms and Gender Bias

One of the primary causes of women’s trafficking in India is deeply rooted in gender-based discrimination. In India, cultural norms heavily favour sons over daughters. Sons are often seen as the primary heirs and bearers of the family name, while daughters are viewed as a financial burden due to dowry practices. This cultural bias has led to a significant gender imbalance and has made girls and women particularly vulnerable to trafficking.

Gender-based discrimination is responsible for the deaths of approximately 239,000 girls under the age of five in India each year. This societal preference for male children results in limited access to education and resources for girls, further exacerbating their vulnerability. According to the 2011 census, the literacy rate was 82 percent for men and only 65 percent for women. This disparity in education limits women’s economic opportunities and leaves them more susceptible to exploitation.

Skewed Sex Ratio and Bride Trafficking

The skewed sex ratio in India, a consequence of gender-based discrimination, has led to an increase in bride trafficking. With significantly more men than women, particularly in rural northern states, the demand for brides has led to the illegal sale of women for marriage. In these regions, more than 90 percent of married women have been sold from other states, some as many as three times, often first becoming brides as preteens. This practice is a direct result of the societal structure that strongly favours males over females, leading to a shortage of women and driving the demand for trafficked brides.

Economic Vulnerability

Poverty and Lack of Opportunities

Economic vulnerability is another critical factor contributing to the trafficking of women in India. Despite significant economic growth, a substantial portion of the Indian population continues to live in poverty. According to recent data, 28 percent of India’s population still lives below the poverty line. Women, particularly those from rural and impoverished backgrounds, face limited opportunities for education and employment, making them easy targets for traffickers.

In 2012, only 43 percent of women in India worked regular wage or salaried positions. This lack of economic opportunities forces many women to seek alternative means of survival, often falling prey to traffickers who promise better job prospects or financial relief. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities by offering young women lucrative-sounding job opportunities or by providing loans and debt relief, which are hard to decline given their desperate circumstances.

Debt Bondage and Forced Labour

Debt bondage or bonded labour, is another form of economic exploitation that significantly contributes to the trafficking of women in India. Although bonded labour was officially abolished in India in 1976, it remains deeply entrenched in the country’s social and economic fabric. Many industries, such as spinning mills, granite quarries and brick kilns, continue to rely on bonded labour schemes for their workforce.

In bonded labour systems, victims accept an advance of cash in exchange for a pledge of labour, often involving their family members. These labourers, including women, are subjected to meagre wages and harsh working conditions, resulting in a cycle of debt and exploitation. The promise of lump-sum payments at the end of contracts often turns out to be a deceitful tactic, keeping workers trapped in perpetual servitude.

Systemic Exploitation

Organised Crime and Human Trafficking Networks

Human trafficking in India is not merely a consequence of cultural and economic factors but is also driven by organised crime and extensive trafficking networks. These networks operate with impunity, exploiting legal and regulatory loopholes to perpetuate their trade. Corruption within law enforcement and the judicial system further exacerbates the problem, allowing traffickers to evade justice and continue their activities.

Recruitment and Transportation

Traffickers employ various methods to recruit and transport women. In many cases, traffickers pose as job recruiters, offering lucrative employment opportunities in urban centres or abroad. Young women, desperate to escape poverty and provide for their families, are lured by these promises and end up being trafficked. Once recruited, victims are often transported across state borders or even internationally, making it difficult for authorities to track and rescue them.

Traffickers also exploit the lack of education and awareness among vulnerable populations. Many victims are unaware of their rights and the risks associated with accepting job offers from unknown sources. This lack of awareness makes it easier for traffickers to manipulate and control their victims.

Specific Forms of Women’s Trafficking

Women’s trafficking in India manifests in several specific forms, each driven by distinct factors but unified by the exploitation and abuse of women and girls. Among the most prevalent are sex trafficking, where victims are coerced into the commercial sex trade and domestic servitude, where women are trapped in exploitative household labour.

Additionally, bride trafficking sees women sold into forced marriages. Each form of trafficking highlights the severe vulnerabilities and systemic issues faced by women in India.

Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is one of the most prevalent forms of trafficking affecting women in India. Victims of sex trafficking are predominantly young, illiterate girls from impoverished families in rural states. These girls, often between the ages of 10 and 14, are coerced or deceived into the sex trade with promises of employment, marriage or better living conditions. Once trafficked, they are subjected to physical and sexual abuse, confined to brothels and forced to serve numerous clients daily.

The demand for younger girls in the sex trade is driven by the misconception that they are less likely to carry sexually transmitted diseases. This has resulted in a decrease in the average age of sex trafficking victims, further highlighting the vulnerability of young girls in India.

Domestic Servitude

Domestic servitude is another form of trafficking affecting women in India. Many women from rural and impoverished backgrounds are trafficked to urban areas to work as domestic servants. Traffickers promise these women decent wages and better living conditions, but upon arrival, they find themselves trapped in exploitative working conditions. They are often subjected to long working hours, physical abuse and restricted freedom.

Domestic workers are particularly vulnerable due to the isolated nature of their work. They often live with their employers, making it difficult for them to seek help or escape. The lack of legal protection and regulation in the domestic work sector further exacerbates their plight.

Solutions and Interventions

Addressing women’s trafficking in India requires a comprehensive approach involving government action, legal reforms and the important work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The government has initiated several measures, including enhancing border security and drafting anti-trafficking legislation. NGOs play a vital role in rescuing and rehabilitating victims.

Government Initiatives

The Government of India has recognised the severity of human trafficking and has taken steps to address the issue. Enhancing border security, increasing aid for trafficking victims and drafting comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation are among the measures being implemented. In February 2018, the Union Cabinet passed the Trafficking in Persons Bill, which aims to criminalise aggravated forms of trafficking and establish a national anti-trafficking bureau along with local anti-trafficking units.

The bill also includes provisions for the rehabilitation of trafficking victims, addressing their physical and mental trauma and promoting education, health and skill development. By focusing on both prevention and rehabilitation, the government aims to create a more comprehensive response to human trafficking.

Role of NGOs

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a crucial role in combating human trafficking in India. The Rescue Foundation, established in 2000, is one such organisation that works to investigate, rescue and rehabilitate trafficking victims. The foundation provides a range of services, including education, computer training, legal aid and counselling, to help victims reintegrate into society.

The Rescue Foundation has been instrumental in rescuing over 5,000 victims and rehabilitating and repatriating more than 15,000 individuals. Their efforts have highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to addressing human trafficking, one that includes prevention, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Conclusion

Women’s trafficking in India is a complex issue driven by gender-based discrimination, economic vulnerability and systemic exploitation. Cultural norms that favour sons over daughters, economic disparities and the prevalence of bonded labour contribute to the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. Organised crime and trafficking networks further exacerbate the problem, exploiting legal and regulatory loopholes to continue their trade.

Addressing the root causes of women’s trafficking requires a multifaceted approach. Government initiatives, such as enhancing border security and passing comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation, are important steps towards combating this issue. Additionally, the efforts of NGOs like the Rescue Foundation play a vital role in rescuing, rehabilitating and reintegrating trafficking victims.

Ultimately, eradicating women’s trafficking in India will require a sustained and collaborative effort involving government agencies, NGOs and civil society. By addressing the underlying causes and providing support and opportunities for vulnerable women, India can make significant strides towards ending this grave violation of human rights.