Women leaders write letter seeking GO implementation for trafficking survivors

VIJAYAWADA: Vimukthi, a state-level forum for survivors of human trafficking, has requested Chief Minister Jagan Reddy to implement the related government orders and help the women and girl survivors.

Its state president P Rajani and general secretary B Pushpavathi submitted a representation to the CM. They noted that Jagan is putting in his best efforts for the development and economic empowerment of the people from marginalised and weaker sections as well as women in the state through several welfare schemes.

“Kindly also take care of GO MS: 1, 2003 and replenish it for its meaningful and effective implementation to ensure the welfare and rehabilitation of the women and girls rescued from human trafficking,” they said.

They said it was agonizing to know through an RTI application on the GO's implementation, that it was simply neglected and it failed to serve the real purpose of providing rehabilitation, welfare and economic empowerment of the rescued survivors of trafficking.

“As per the data provided by the Department of Women Development &Child Welfare, 502 women have been rescued from human trafficking by district anti-trafficking squads between 2015 – 2020. But, only 55 survivors have received Rs 20,000 each under Immediate Relief Support while another 102 applications are still pending,” they noted.

Vimukthi leaders said the government must reinforce and ensure effective implementation of GOMS 1 for rehabilitation, welfare and development of rescued survivors of trafficking and women in prostitution.

Further, Vimukthi urged the government to formulate a special policy for community-based rehabilitation and implement rehabilitation activities through village and ward secretariats beyond keeping the rescued victims for months and years in shelter homes in the name of counselling and training.

They urged the government to take steps to release the promised Rs 20,000 to the rescued victims within a week after their rescue, provide alternative livelihoods to them through SHGs and cooperatives to break the chain of debt bondage and introduce community-based rehabilitation.