Straight Answers
Revathy Menon
[ Saturday, November 29, 2003 01:41:22 amTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
Shanta Sinha Social Worker, child rights activist On the rampant child
trafficking in AP
AP is considered to be among the largest providers of child sex workers to
outside states. What is your assessment of the situation?
It is quite grave. Throughout our work we come across certain mandals, where
there is a well-charted route via which underage girls are picked up, identified
and sent on routines outside the state. What is disturbing about the entire
system is that it is very well-oiled and institutionalised.
Have any places been identified as regions where such trafficking is higher?
In our work we have come across mandals along the borders in Chittoor, Kurnool
and Cudappah districts as areas where such activity is high. But NGOs working in
other areas also periodically come up with similar statistics. And that is as
far as we know. There might be a lot happening beyond our knowledge.
What are the factors that have led to this situation?
I would say, lack of proper monitoring and lack of schools. Poverty is not as
much a factor as a shocking insensitivity to the exploitation children are
subjected to.
What needs to be done to remedy the situation?
First of all there needs to be a proper and accurate system of enumeration of
girl children between the ages of six and 14 in each village. This should be
followed by a review of where they are, whether they have moved, and so on. It
is not a very difficult task at all since such movements are very transparent in
small villages. The gram Panchayats should be involved in the same because they
can be easily motivated to do something for their children. But for the
government to actually take any of these steps it must first accept that there
is a problem.
How much are NGO’s able to do themselves?
NGO’s are active in many pockets, but a lot more needs to be done. NGO’s
alone are not equipped enough.
They need support from the government. Not just in terms of funds, which are of
course required. But more so in terms of legal and administrative support.
Has the issue ever been raised with the government in an effective way?
Well, looking at how little used to happen earlier the situation is marginally
better now. At least the topic is discussed, even if only occasionally. But it
needs to be talked about a lot more.
hyderabadtimes@indiatimes.com
[Times Of India, Saturday, November 29, 2003]