Human
trafficking is extremely common in India. Young women are sold daily as pieces
of flesh in the market and forced to accept their ‘fate’.
Sony wanted
to start a new life away from the abuse of her alcoholic husband. The wages she
got from working at the farm were not enough to feed her children, husband and
in-laws. Though she gave her husband all of her daily earnings, he would often
beat her and she didn’t dare complain.
“City agents” -actually sex trafficking agents-
found out about her situation and convinced her to work in the city. Without an
inkling of what was in store for her, Sony left her old life behind with only
her three children in tow. She dreamt of having a whole new life that would
bring independence and happiness to her and her children.
At the
train station, she overheard a phone conversation where one of the agents was being
told where and how they should bring her. Train tickets in hand, they told her “Don’t
worry. You’ll get used to it; you’re pretty and will make a lot of money”. They
added that her daughter would also be in the “market”, but would not start
working until she was old enough.
Sony asked
to go to the bathroom, took her five-year-old daughter Payal with her, and told
her: “Where I’m going I don’t want you to come, now sleep here… I’ll come back
for you”. Sony had to go back with the agents, as she couldn’t bear the thought
of them handling her children. The train was about to leave and the agents
hurried in with Sony and her two sons. They did not have time to think
about Payal.
Five days
later, Payal was found by in the train station by Hope of Glory Foundation. She
was saved from sex trafficking thanks to her mother’s sacrifice and
quick-thinking. Sadly, her mother had been trapped and probably sold
afterwards. Payal’s relatives in the village were contacted, but no one wanted
her back. Perhaps it was best for her not to go back to a family which was
likely to offer her a lifetime of abuse and deprivation.
There are far
too many women and girl children in Sony’s and Payal’s situation. Laws exist,
but corruption runs rampant. Hope for them lies in the people who will put
their hands, minds and hearts to work so that women can dare to envision a different
way of living and have the tools to make their dream come true.
It’s time
to get to work.
Source: hogfindia
