Contributor: Neiha Bansal, Poject Associate, Project G86

Thinking As One, Delivering As A Million

On the 9th of April, a day long workshop on 'Building Public Private Partnership' was organized as a joint initiative between UNODC, ATSEC Jharkhand, Confederation of Indian Industries, Jharkhand, NABARD and the Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand to table the different initiatives undertaken to address the issue of human trafficking in the state and explore possible areas of collaboration. The workshop was addressed and attended by Additional Director General of Police, CID, Jharkhand, Advisor to the Governor of Jharkhand, Chief General Manager of NABARD, representatives from CII, ATSEC, corporates like Tata, Jindal Steel, Usha Martin, and civil society organizations.

The objective of the workshop emerged from a strong need to work as one collaborative force, sharing experiences, concerns and to channelize resources commonly so that this issue is addressed, based on one joint consensus but one that can mobilize a million hands to deliver.

The spirit of the day- the potential of every human life, was set by an inspiring parade by 25 women, survivors of human trafficking, who have been trained by Bhartiya Kishan Sangh as security guards- a programme funded by UNODC and managed by ATSEC, Jharkhand. UNODC ROSA also presented its work on following an integrated approach under the Gobal Initiative to Fight Trafficking.  After this many organizations presented the work that they have under taken in the state.

Three significant aspects that emerged from the workshop was the vulnerability that Jharkhand faces vis-a-vis human trafficking, the need for economic empowerment as both a means of prevention and rehabilitation and the emerging role of the private sector, one that must be collaborated with as a key player in fuelling development along with civil society and the government.

On the issue of economic empowerment, recommendations such as the need to identify districts and pockets that are vulnerable as a priority before beginning work, employment for women in her environment itself to ensure security from exploitation and the need to provide livelihood options not just for the women but for families as well, ws brought to attention. The other suggestions made were the need to harness the local strengths and industries of the state, provision of training and skills that are marketable and adequate marketing channels for the local products produced.

The corporate sector was unanimously seen not just as a funding agency but also as one that looks at management and monitoring of programmes while the NGO's presence will be recognised at the grassroots, in terms of implementation. This was verbalized by Secretary of Industries, Jharkhand when he said that companies and industries could sponsor skill development, help NGO's build more effective development strategies which in turn would give their employees a channel for humanization amidst their profit driven job profiles. Participants also presented other areas of assistance that corporates could provide like ensuring sustainability for programmes, providing placements and facilitating surveys and studies for a better understanding of the issue.

The workshop concluded successfully with NABARD committing to place resources to address the issue of human trafficking in the state which would later be scaled up for the rest of the country. Mr. Shashidhar from NABARD also expressed interest to fund a study to document best practices and lessons learnt to combat human trafficking. As the way forward, the need for a vulnerability mapping study, participatory appraisal of livelihood programmes in these areas, suitable and sustainable interventions put in to place and formation of an action group to conduct the above, were bought to the perusal of the group.

With the consolidation of these critical action points this workshop was significant in UNODC, ROSA's attempt to increase knowledge and awareness on human trafficking, promote effective rights-based responses and build capacity of state and non-state actors.