Networking Vigilance Committee — Best Practices Presentation

(Networking/ Vigilance Committee ) - Best Practices Presentation by Vasudha Mishra Secretary DWCD Govt. of Andhra Pradesh

Overview- Andhra Pradesh Ø 17 Districts-Vizianagaram, Vishakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool, Hyderabad, Medak, Nalgonda, Khammam, Nizamabad and Warangal

Overview- Andhra Pradesh DELHI Ø Routes and Destinations of Trafficking Anantpur Daund Bangalore DELHI Hyderabad Cuddapah Guntakal DELHI Warangal Tirupati Chittoor Vijayawada Warangal Kurnool East Godavari West Godavari Hyderabad DELHI Warangal DELHI Vizag DELHI

Response to the Problem Rehab Strategies - Integration of rescued/ vulnerable girls/ women through SHGs - SWADHAR - Grant In Aid - Linkages to DRDA/ APSACS etc. GOMS No. 1 Rehabilitation Prevention Strategies • Community Vigilante groups Prevention • Balika Sanghas • Kala Jathas • Training of Stakeholders FOCUS AREAS Rescue Strategies -Promoting rescue through information/surveillance of CVGs -Linkages with police in destination areas - Motivation and Preparation of communities by awareness generation

Response to the Problem- Overview Ø Formation of Community Vigilant Groups (CVG) Ø 25006 CVGs formed across the state at community level Ø CVG consists of CDPO, Supervisor, Anganwadi Worker, Mother’s Committee Member, Adolescent Girls, Sarpanch, Revenue Official (Village Secretary), Kulapeddalu (2 No. s), Police Ø CVGs trained as Anti-trafficking Committees Ø Role of CVG • Monitoring and surveillance of communities • Linkages to Police, DWCD, DRDA (SHGs)

Adolescent girls organized in Vigilant groups & awakened on issue of trafficking

Response to the Problem- Overview Ø Formation of Balika Sanghas Ø 9315 Sanghas formed Ø Balika Sanghas formed with out-of-school adolescent girls Ø Also represented in the CVGs Ø Nearly 30, 000 girls trained on social issues, health, and nutrition

Response to the Problem- Overview Ø Formation of State and District Coordination Committees for prevention of trafficking as per G. O. Ms. No. 1 Ø Formation of Anti-trafficking squads in every district headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police and supported by WCD officials, Juvenile welfare officials and NGOs by the police department Ø Formation of Anti-trafficking cells at District Head quarter and Mandal Head Quarter by the Department of WCD involving the WCD Officials & NGOs

Response to the Problem- Overview Ø Initial relief to rescued victims was enhanced to Rs. 5000/-to Rs. 10, 000/- Ø SWADHAR Scheme- 26 Shelter homes have been sanctioned by Government of India under the scheme

Ø The Department is conducting workshops and reviews as follows o various District level workshops were conducted in collaboration with UNICEF in every district (23 districts) from March to July 2005 all over Andhra Pradesh to promote inter departmental linkage, police trainings organized with Women Development & Child Welfare Department/ local NGO’s on ITPA, Antitrafficking issues

o A 3 days training workshop from 4 -7 -2005 to 6 -7 -2005 in collaboration with UNICEF was conducted at, Hyderabad for field functionaries working with child victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The training module developed by Nirmala Nikethan, School of Social Work, Mumbai was translated into Telugu Language. Trainings were conducted to Instructors of Anganwadi Training Centers and also to sensitize caregivers of children homes, state and service homes including 26 NGOs

o A workshop from 28 th to 29 th September 2005 was conducted in the Directorate with the assistance of UNICEF to develop the modules to Anganwadi workers and Anti-trafficking committees on Key messages on the prevention of trafficking and activities to be takenup by the Adolescent Girls and Balika Mandals with field functionaries and related departmental staff o Training module has been developed for NGOs and field level functionaries all over AP on social issues like trafficking, child marriages, dowry etc. , in collaboration with NIPCCD. Trainings have been conducted at Bangalore and Hyderabad. o Social issues were included in the curriculum of refresher course being given to CDPOs / Supervisors and AWWs at field level and also to instructors of MLTCs and AWTCs.

Ø A. P. Police academy has conducted workshops for police officials on trafficking in persons & Role of police as follows: Ø Resolutions passed at Vijayawada workshop in November 2005 on amendment of G. O. Ms. No. 1 Ø Resolutions & some suggestions made in Anantapur on October 2005 Ø Resolutions passed in the workshop on strategies to deal with gender violence at Hyderabad in March 2006 Ø The Toll free help line at Hyderabad is 1800, 425, 2908

Regional Anti-Trafficking Network Anantapur Chittoor Kadapa

Andhra Pradesh Anantapur Kadapa Rayachoti Kadiri Chittoor Madanapalle

Trafficking from the Rayalaseema Region- An Overview Ø Trafficking predominantly in three districts - Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa Ø Trafficking of minors and women linked to migration, debt bondage, and socio-cultural tolerance of trafficking Ø Girls in socially and economically disadvantaged groups are especially vulnerable to trafficking

Origins of the Network Ø DWCD/ UNICEF started a pilot project with STHREE (NGO) for prevention of trafficking from Anantapur district Ø In order to check the operations of traffickers in the region across 3 districts, the project expanded to cover Kadapa and Chittoor districts by formation of the Regional Network with participation of three District Collectors Ø The same networking is replicated in coastal regions covering 6 districts Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Godavari Krishna, East Godavari and West

Objectives of the Regional Network Ø Identification of vulnerable communities Ø Capacity building of CVGs and Adolescent girls Ø Enhanced Law enforcement /data base on traffickers Ø Convergence with Income Generation Programmes, Judiciary and other frontline agencies Ø Standardization of approach and strategy

Organizational Structure of the Regional Network Collector- Anantapur District Resource Person Mandal Resource Persons CVGs Balika Sanghas Civil Society Organizations Community at large Chairperson. Collector- Kadapa Collector- Chittoor District Resource Person Mandal Resource Persons CVGs Balika Sanghas Civil Society Organizations Community at large

Key strategies v Community mobilization v Law enforcement v Rehabilitation v Convergence

Key Messages Ø Key messages focus on Prevention of trafficking by way of vigilance, awareness, encouraging reportage and law enforcement

Key messages for Police • The police should be on a vigil in locations prone to trafficking • Should monitor the movements-of strangers in the villages • Look out for suspicious movement of girls at places such as, highways, dhabas, railway stations, and bus stations • Police must register and FIR under section 5 or 6 of the Immoral Traffic (prevention) ACT, 1956 and 336, 366 A, 367, 370 to 373 of the Indian Penal code

Inter state Anti trafficking Initiatives with DWCDPolice-NGOs

Key messages for Family Ø Check background of people offering jobs, incentives, marriages proposals • Families should take good care of their children in terms of clothing food their concerns, and take their points of view seriously • The family should ensure that their daughters are safe and not exposed to potential traffickers • All marriages in the village should be registered, and at least one photograph of the married couple be kept safely • The girls family must keep safely the correct address and contact of the groom’s family • Watch out for deceit and resist sale of girls • Calling child line, Help line and the Police in case of suspicion • Training girls to be more vigilant and aware (Balika Mandals)

Key messages for Community • The Panchayat can appoint a group of women and men from the village, and can assign the SHGs with the responsibility of keeping track of strangers who may be visiting the community the frequency and purpose of such visits; and the households that they visit • Monitor the marriages with outsiders, they can ensure that the visitors are not traffickers • Keep a close watch on the movement of girls and young women from the villages • On visitors to the villages; and follow up on any such visitors who frequently visit a particular house

Community Mobilization Ø Wide publicity and campaigns through Kalajathas, Workshops and meetings • Communities are provided with information on trafficking, CSE, human rights, child rights, law, Consequences of HIV/ AIDS and Other aspects • Skills on how to prevent trafficking, skills in reporting, and effectively using the enforcement system (police) to tackle the problem.

Kalajatha Parakuvandlapalli Village Tanakal Mandal Kishora Balikala Mela, Kadiri

Balika Sangha Training on Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation(CSE) Ø Girls from Balika Sanghas Trained on • • • Social and gender issues Trafficking and CSE How to address the problem at community level Skills to protect themselves from traffickers and trafficking Life skills

Girls engaged in social mapping on the issue of Trafficking

Work with Adolescent Girls Ø Campaign with more than 6000 Adolescent Girls Ø School and College going girls covered in the Campaign Ø Focus on Trafficking of Girls, Early Marriages Ø Adolescent girls were informed about: • Their rights • Severity of the problem of trafficking, and its effects • Skills to address the problem at community level

Work with Government Officials Ø Training of Government functionaries-frontline staff of various Government departments - Department of women and child development - District rural development authority - Medical & Health - Police

Work with Police Training on Trafficking and CSE Ø - CIs, SIs, Constables Trained on trafficking and related issues - Impact • Appointing special officer and staff- working on trafficking • Promotion of “Community friendly police” concept • Focus on prosecution and conviction of brokers and traffickers

Work with PRIs Ø Sarpanchs, ZPTC, MPTC Members trained on • Trafficking and CSE • Addressing the problem at community level • Active participation in prevention of trafficking • Monitoring and surveillance Ø Impact • Suggestions by the participants for action • Registration of marriages • Identification of and punishment to Brokers

Community Participation Ø Rendered counseling Adolescent girls to the village elders & Ø Constituting committee consisting of NGO, Doctor, Legal advisor, WD &CW Department Officials Ø Involving the male youth members of the community for obtaining information well in advance on traffickers to take stringent action Ø Exchanging information periodically among the three districts for uniform and common line of action by organizing Workshops Ø Training to the police personnel and constables in dealing with these cases women

Rehabilitation activities taken up in Regional Network Ø A Regional Network was set up in July 2004 with three District Collectors, Superintendent of Police, Project Directors of DRDA and WD&CW, CPO of UNICEF, Medical and Health consultants, and NGOs to get information about traffickers and their chain. Example : An overview of Anantapur District interventions are placed below

Beneficiary VOCSETs in kafe khushi a food center established as economic rehabilitation unit

Self Help Groups formation Ø Out of 62 people who returned from Pune/Mumbai, are formed into 5 - Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Rs. 1. 20 lakhs was sanctioned as a Revolving Fund

Income Generating Activities Ø 62 victims who returned from Pune and Mumbai were sanctioned Community Investment Fund to a tune of Rs. 5. 16 lakhs under Income Generating Activities. Ø Rs. 3. 20 Crores under Indira Kranthi Patham budget wherein Rs. 47. 90 lakhs was earmarked under Institutional and Capacity Building component and Rs. 271 lakhs for Community Investment Fund for Income Generating Activities in which 50% of the amount is earmarked exclusively for S. C. , S. T. , women members of the Self Help Groups.

Preference to all Government Schemes Housing Pattas Ø In Anantapur two spells of assignment of land programme was taken up during January 2005 and August 2005 in which 346 ST women beneficiaries were provided land pattas to a tune of 766. 05 acres of land to take up cultivation Ø 618 destitute /single women were sanctioned housing under Indira Awash Yojana in 2004 -05 Home guards Ø 9 Women home guards were selected

Education Ø Two bridge course residential schools were established through Indira Kranti Padam Ø Below 9 years (Dropouts) were admitted in to schools by tying up with residential schools Health Ø One VCTC is opened for dealing AIDS cases to extend treatment to positive cases Ø 3 Gynaec camps conducted in 5 trafficking mandals. Selected and trained 160 community health activists at village level to create awareness on health issues

Kadiri Mandal trafficked girls receiving Pattas N. P. Kunta girls receiving pattas from MRO

BCRS Girl Child Education Kadiri STHREE girls learning crafts at skill centre, Kadiri

Rescue Ø Two Swadhar Shelter Homes were sanctioned in Kadiri area with the sanctioned strength of 100 for difficult circumstances women by Government of India. One Shelter Home was proposed for ‘STHREE’ voluntary organization which is working in Kadiri area pertaining to anti-trafficking activity through the District Collector to APSACS. (Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society), A. P. , Hyderabad and sanction is awaited.

Rehabilitation trough training, Bank Linkage and Federation Ø Under convergence programme 50 Adolescent girls were sanctioned Rs. 5. 00 lakhs under Community Investment Fund for Incoming Generating activities. 65 Adolescent girls identified through village organizations (Women Federations of SHGs) were trained in Tailoring, Hand Embroidery, Mirror work and Appliqué work in collaboration with WAKEUP-NGO. Another 50 girls were identified in Kadiri area were given above training in collaboration with Priya Mahila Mandali. Ø One special action plan have been prepared exclusively for S. T. (Sugali) people in Kadiri area of Anantapur District to a tune of Rs. 270. 94 lakhs and submitted to the Commissioner, Tribal Welfare Department, A. P. , Hyderabad for release of funds through District Collector.

Ø 3 family counseling centers are established in Nallacheruvu, Gandlapenta and Talupula mandals of Kadiri block through social Community Investment Fund (CIF) sub projects to a tune of Rs. 3. 57 lakhs Ø 170 Destitute women were identified in Kadiri erstwhile taluk and provided training and loan to a tune of Rs. 5. 91 lakhs to take up non-form activities under the programme called ‘Development of Women Through Area’ Programme (DEWTHA) through Sree Anantaha Grameena Bank, Anantapur. The 170 destitutes consist of all communities including S. T. women.

Best practices in coastal Regional Network Ø Prevention focused Action plan is being implemented in Guntur and Prakasam districts from December 2005 Ø Mapping of vulnerable areas is being carried out in both districts (Guntur and Prakasam) Ø Workshop on trafficking and CSE have been conducted with police and DECD personnel in Guntur district and planned for June 2006 in Prakasam Ø More than 50 Kalajathas were conducted in the two districts in the initial stages in March 2006 Ø 150 Adolescent girls are being trained on cultural activities and Kalajathas and will conduct more than 2000 programmes in 100 villages in the two districts in June-July 2006

Kalajatha outcomes o Communities at large and especially women and young girls understand trafficking CSE and the impacts thereof o Adolescent girls and women have started reacting strongly to the violation of their rights in trafficking and have started participating actively in anti trafficking activities through Community Vigilant Groups and Balika Sanghas o Adolescent girls who have witnessed Kalajathas have become more cautious and aware about dangers posted by the problem of trafficking

Women’s Groups and Anti-trafficking work o Women’s groups (SHGs) are a part of CVGs in the village and SHG leaders represent the women’s group in Community Vigilant Groups o They have not only started participating actively in prevention related activities, but have also started involving victims and vulnerable women in livelihood activities for rehabilitation and prevention by providing them access to loans, land other alternatives

SUPPORT FROM UNDP Ø UNDP–TAHA (Prevention of trafficking and HIV/AIDS in women and girls) Project is suggested to support for effective implementation, documentation and reporting of the various activities which would entail district level workshops for development of action plan field assignments state level sensitization of NGOs, TOT for ICDS centers (MLTC, AWTC) training of PDS, CDPOs, Training of field functionaries on Anti -trafficking Cells in 9 districts needs assessment and planning workshops with SWADHAR homes, Networking and exchange programmes, main streaming of issues in Police and strengthening of regional network

NATSAP Ø Network of 22 NGOs working with VOCSET (Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking) Ø Forming of Community Based Organization with VOCSET Ø Active participation in Anti-trafficking committees at District level Ø Counselling, Health care & running STD clinics Ø Prevention of second generation trafficking –working for children of sex workers Ø Para legal counselling for VOCSET Ø Lobbying and advocacy

CACT (Campaign Against Child Trafficking) Ø CACT is a net work of 50 NGOs campaigning against child trafficking in Andhra Pradesh covering all the districts o Awareness generation on o Campaigning –Lobby & Advocacy o Forming Vigilant groups with Adolescent girls & SHGs o Involving PRIs in prevention of trafficking in children o Establishing economic rehab units for VOCSET o Employment opportunity for VOCSET through corporate social responsibility Ex: Employing VOCSET in petrol filling stations

Impact • No of adolescent girls trained =36000+ • No of Police Officials trained = 300 + • No of CVG members trained = 1500 + • No of Kalajathas performed = 700 + • No of victims rescued =37 • No of arrests made= 25 • No of cases pending in courts = 7 • Total no of victims and vulnerable girls undergoing livelihood programs = 83 (Till March 2006)