By ALISTER MIRANDA & PREETU NAIR
BAINA: With great enthusiasm, the Parrikar-led government wiped out 800 to 1,200 homes and shacks on a rainy morning on 14 June, 2004. However, once the bulldozers razed the houses, the government that claimed to have effective and advanced planning for events, lost its initial enthusiasm and comfortably forgot to rehabilitate the people.
After demolition, many residents were found sitting in groups amongst the debris, while some of them found shelter in a nearby building that was under construction.
According to the president of the NGO Savera, Tara Kerkar, not many of those displaced are commercial sex workers, because "the prostitutes would leave and go to some other place after three months or so". "Even now these girls come to Goa and do business. That is why I would like to point out that the majority of those who are displaced are those not involved in the flesh trade. Many of those who stayed in the area are working with the municipality, PWD, electricity department, etc. They preferred to live here because the rent was low. There were around 400 houses belonging to fakirs alone. The demolition came about only because of Parrikar's dadagiri and hukumshahi. He made huge promises, but did not keep them. He is being cursed by all those who have been displaced and not rehabilitated," Tara adds.
Crucial is the fact that the promises made to the poor had no meaning for the government. How agonized we are about how people die? How untroubled we are by how they live?
The Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court in its order stated that as part of the rehabilitation plan, the state Government has selected a huge building, situated at Ribandar (Old Bal Niketan) with all basic facilities, where all these people could be accommodated. This was to be a "transit camp" and eventually the detailed plans for rehabilitation and resettlement had to be drawn up.
But the residents of Ribandar opposed the plan and there was no "alternate site" assured. Even the National Commission for Women (NCW) did not agree that CSWs, brothel keepers and pimps who were the perpetrators of the crime, be housed together in the rehabilitation package.
Further, the High Court order said that in the event displacement is inevitable, the state government should provide appropriate rehabilitation measures such as shelter, livelihood, health facilities and vocational assistance. But the report of Forum for Justice in Baina, an independent fact-finding committee on the Baina issue, says that though Swati Kerkar, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW), on April 27, 2004 stated that short stay homes and jobs would be provided and added that a survey was being conducted to know how many children are there, how many schools are available, etc, so far nothing has materialized.
"However, contrary to Kerkar's statement, the socio-economic survey gives no figures of how many children are housed in Baina, how many are school going children and how many schools are available? No proper rehabilitation plan has been chalked out. Now, with the area being razed to the ground, the victims, that is, the CSWs as well as those not into prostitution, have been displaced without any alternate facilities", the report said.
Tara is critical of the GSCW for its ineffectiveness. "While policemen kicked women, those from the Women's Commission smiled and looked on as mere spectators. It was shocking. The Mahila commission chairperson Swati Kerkar does not really know what the commission she heads is meant for," she says. " Perhaps knowing that would have never allowed them to carry out the demolition, the police arrested me on 13 June while I was taking to the press and I was bailed out on 14 June at 11 pm ," she adds.
Forum for Justice in Baina is an alliance of organizations and individuals concerned with issues affecting the rights and human dignity of the residents of Baina beach red-light area. The member organizations include Baina Rahivasi Sangh, Baina Mahila Mandal, Bailancho Saad, Bailancho Ekvott, Children's Rights in Goa, Childline, Positive People, Arz, Jan Ugahi, Population Services International, Forum for Communal Harmony, Sandarsh and Vikalp.
But there are many who do not trust these NGO. And among them is former Mormugao MLA John Manuel Vaz from Baina. "The commercial sex workers are like milking cows for the NGOs. Behind all their actions is vitamin M," says Vaz, who spearheaded a movement to get the CSWs out of Baina. But just one NGO was singled out for praise. "The only NGO which has worked selflessly for the good of the prostitutes is Asha Sadan, which is run by the Sisters from Sancoale," points out Tara.
The direction of the Court clearly states that "The GSCW with the National Commission for Women to take steps so that the said women are rehabilitated in the State from where they hail with the assistance of the respective State Governments". Forum for Justice in Baina report, says that though at first efforts were made by the GSCW initially to follow this directive of the High Court, later there was absolutely no involvement of the Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka governments nor was there proper coordination between GSCW and NCW".
"I wanted to rehabilitate the sex workers. And if I had help from the government I would have done it in 1997 itself," Vaz says.
Now with the Parrikar-led government nudged into the sidelines, all the affected are hopeful that Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane will deliver what his predecessor couldn't. "Let us see what Rane will do. We demand that those displaced be rehabilitated in the same area," says Tara.
Monday, October 09, 2006
So you thought, Baina was "cleaned" up coz it was a red light area…?
PREETU NAIR
BAINA: *"Last monsoon we were without a house and had to sleep on the road. This monsoon, again our roof is the sky and our bed the earth," said 40-year-old Chandra. Chandra and her husband were living in Baina since last 25 years. But they lost all their savings when their house was demolished. Now they don't have enough money to stay in rented house.
* Maya worked as brothel keeper. But she gave it up 10 years back to lead a more respectable life and became a volunteer with Positive People. But now without any financial assistance or enough money to pay the house rent, she is uncertain about her future. "Don't I have a right to live a life of dignity? Will I always be called a dhandewali? (prostitute) What can we expect from ordinary people when protectors of law treat us like dirt?" she asked.
* Sixty-year-old Muskanbhi is forced to work as domestic help. "It is really difficult times for me. Earlier, I had a house and my children used to stay with me and take care of me. But now after demolition they have gone their own way and I have to fend for myself".
Chandra, Maya and Muskanbhi now live under difficult circumstances because ex-CM Manohar Parrikar didn't follow laws but actually violated them. Removing encroachment is a matter of right for the government, but if the rules were properly followed in letter and spirit then many like Chandra, Maya and Muskanbhi wouldn't have been in such a dismal state.
When Parrikar ordered the bull-dozers to raze the cubicles and shacks in the state's only recognized, albeit unofficially, red light area Baina, he must have thought that he was leaving behind an image of a man who had cleaned up the mess in the otherwise beautiful land. But he fails on three important counts:
FIRST: Parrikar has time and again took refuge in the High Court of Bombay at Goa judgment to justify the crackdown at Baina on June 14, 2004. The High Court judgment said that 250 cubicles being used for carrying on sex trade should be closed down and if the 250 cubicles are illegal and on the government or land belonging to local authorities then steps should be taken to evict the illegal occupants and then demolish them by following the due process of law.
BUT: The Supreme Court in a judgment in 1997 in Gaurav Jain v/s Union of India and others, observed, "Women found in the flesh trade, should be viewed more as victims of adverse socio-economic circumstances rather than as offenders in our society. Prostitution in five star hotels is a license given to persons from higher echelons. The commercial exploitation of sex may be regarded as crime but those trapped in custom oriented prostitution should be viewed as victims of gender oriented vulnerability. Court was concerned in this case more with rehabilitation. Therefore it is emphasized on the review of the relevant law in this behalf, effective implementation of the scheme to provide self-employment, training in weaving, knitting, painting and other meaningful programmes to provide the fallen women the regular source of income by self-employment or after vocational education, the appropriate employment generating schemes in government, semi-government or private organizations." The Supreme Court also laid emphasis on economic rehabilitation for women found in the flesh trade.
SECOND: Bulldozers razed nearly 800 to 1,200 tiled or tin-roofed cubicles and shacks. But 80 percent of these house belonged to people who had no connection with the sex trade, but were migrants chiefly from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, who had settled at Baina decades ago, eking out a living as labourers, hawkers and domestic helps. Once again, Parrikar using the High Court order that said that since Commercial Sex Workers (CSW) are not from Goa, the Government is not bound to rehabilitate them except to the extent provided by specific directions in the judgments of the Apex Court and they should be deported to the State from where they come, demanded that all the "non-Goans" staying at Baina should be deported to the State from where they come.
This was in basic violation of the Preamble, an integral part of the Constitution, that pledges to secure 'socio-economic justice' to all its citizens with stated liberties, 'equality of status and of opportunity', assuring 'fraternity' and 'dignity' of the individual in a united and integrated Bharat. Even Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religious race, caste, sex or place of birth, or of any of them. Further, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone which includes fallen women and their children, is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth in the Declaration without any without any distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
THIRD: The High Court in its order had given a rehabilitation plan to the state according to which CSW had to be kept in "transit camp" at Old Bal Niketan, Ribandar, but the residents of Ribandar opposed the plan of the Government and they were also supported by the local Councilor. But both Parrikar government and Goa State Commission for Women, failed to give neither shelter nor employment to the CSW's, as well as other ordinary women who's house were demolished. In January 2005, the government brought about a notification saying that they are introducing the "rehabilitation scheme for Commercially Exploited Women and other residential and commercial establishments demolished at Baina". Many have applied but they are yet to get a reply.
Baina demolition has turned out to be a pyrrhic victory for Parrikar. Having lost their meager belongings and with no meaningful rehabilitation programme in sight, many women and young girls from the area are more likely to join what the government would like to drive out of Goa - the "sex industry".
Eom
(Names have been changed to protect identity)
BAINA: *"Last monsoon we were without a house and had to sleep on the road. This monsoon, again our roof is the sky and our bed the earth," said 40-year-old Chandra. Chandra and her husband were living in Baina since last 25 years. But they lost all their savings when their house was demolished. Now they don't have enough money to stay in rented house.
* Maya worked as brothel keeper. But she gave it up 10 years back to lead a more respectable life and became a volunteer with Positive People. But now without any financial assistance or enough money to pay the house rent, she is uncertain about her future. "Don't I have a right to live a life of dignity? Will I always be called a dhandewali? (prostitute) What can we expect from ordinary people when protectors of law treat us like dirt?" she asked.
* Sixty-year-old Muskanbhi is forced to work as domestic help. "It is really difficult times for me. Earlier, I had a house and my children used to stay with me and take care of me. But now after demolition they have gone their own way and I have to fend for myself".
Chandra, Maya and Muskanbhi now live under difficult circumstances because ex-CM Manohar Parrikar didn't follow laws but actually violated them. Removing encroachment is a matter of right for the government, but if the rules were properly followed in letter and spirit then many like Chandra, Maya and Muskanbhi wouldn't have been in such a dismal state.
When Parrikar ordered the bull-dozers to raze the cubicles and shacks in the state's only recognized, albeit unofficially, red light area Baina, he must have thought that he was leaving behind an image of a man who had cleaned up the mess in the otherwise beautiful land. But he fails on three important counts:
FIRST: Parrikar has time and again took refuge in the High Court of Bombay at Goa judgment to justify the crackdown at Baina on June 14, 2004. The High Court judgment said that 250 cubicles being used for carrying on sex trade should be closed down and if the 250 cubicles are illegal and on the government or land belonging to local authorities then steps should be taken to evict the illegal occupants and then demolish them by following the due process of law.
BUT: The Supreme Court in a judgment in 1997 in Gaurav Jain v/s Union of India and others, observed, "Women found in the flesh trade, should be viewed more as victims of adverse socio-economic circumstances rather than as offenders in our society. Prostitution in five star hotels is a license given to persons from higher echelons. The commercial exploitation of sex may be regarded as crime but those trapped in custom oriented prostitution should be viewed as victims of gender oriented vulnerability. Court was concerned in this case more with rehabilitation. Therefore it is emphasized on the review of the relevant law in this behalf, effective implementation of the scheme to provide self-employment, training in weaving, knitting, painting and other meaningful programmes to provide the fallen women the regular source of income by self-employment or after vocational education, the appropriate employment generating schemes in government, semi-government or private organizations." The Supreme Court also laid emphasis on economic rehabilitation for women found in the flesh trade.
SECOND: Bulldozers razed nearly 800 to 1,200 tiled or tin-roofed cubicles and shacks. But 80 percent of these house belonged to people who had no connection with the sex trade, but were migrants chiefly from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, who had settled at Baina decades ago, eking out a living as labourers, hawkers and domestic helps. Once again, Parrikar using the High Court order that said that since Commercial Sex Workers (CSW) are not from Goa, the Government is not bound to rehabilitate them except to the extent provided by specific directions in the judgments of the Apex Court and they should be deported to the State from where they come, demanded that all the "non-Goans" staying at Baina should be deported to the State from where they come.
This was in basic violation of the Preamble, an integral part of the Constitution, that pledges to secure 'socio-economic justice' to all its citizens with stated liberties, 'equality of status and of opportunity', assuring 'fraternity' and 'dignity' of the individual in a united and integrated Bharat. Even Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religious race, caste, sex or place of birth, or of any of them. Further, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone which includes fallen women and their children, is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth in the Declaration without any without any distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
THIRD: The High Court in its order had given a rehabilitation plan to the state according to which CSW had to be kept in "transit camp" at Old Bal Niketan, Ribandar, but the residents of Ribandar opposed the plan of the Government and they were also supported by the local Councilor. But both Parrikar government and Goa State Commission for Women, failed to give neither shelter nor employment to the CSW's, as well as other ordinary women who's house were demolished. In January 2005, the government brought about a notification saying that they are introducing the "rehabilitation scheme for Commercially Exploited Women and other residential and commercial establishments demolished at Baina". Many have applied but they are yet to get a reply.
Baina demolition has turned out to be a pyrrhic victory for Parrikar. Having lost their meager belongings and with no meaningful rehabilitation programme in sight, many women and young girls from the area are more likely to join what the government would like to drive out of Goa - the "sex industry".
Eom
(Names have been changed to protect identity)
Bane of Baina
PREETU NAIR
BAINA: "I am scared. Today, poverty and circumstances have forced my sister into prostitution. Tomorrow, my daughter may be another victim of poverty and human apathy," says Rupa's elder sister.
Rupa, 12-year-old, was pushed into prostitution by poverty and circumstances. At 7 am in the morning of June 14, 2004 when bulldozers tore through and brutally and indiscriminately obliterated the homes of people living in Baina, the red-light area of Goa. Rupa was at school. Then she had a hope, a dream of a better future. But a year later, she is now a school drop-out and is coming to terms with her life at Apna Ghar, Merces.
Recalling the happenings of past twelve months, her sister, who is married, revealed how life has changed for the family, especially her little sister. "She was interested in studies and used to go to school regularly. But after demolition, she lost the will to study and used to spend time loitering around with other girls," revealed the dismayed sister. That's the time when a 31-year-old male marauder "befriended" her. He manipulated her situation and got closer to her, while her mother silently encouraged the relationship because the man paid their house rent and also took care of their other financial liabilities.
"My mother, who worked as a sweeper in a government organization, encouraged Rupa as she was in a financial mess," Rupa's sister added.
Rupa is not the only girl who has been pushed into prostitution by her mother. There are many like her. Living in comfort, probably we have never asked ourselves, "What does a woman do when she is denied basic humanity? What does it mean to become a sexual slave of a man to save your family?"
But many poor young girls in Baina know the answer best. Poverty has forced them into child prostitution. They offer themselves for sex in return for money. Money, with which they can feed their family, pay the house rent.
Another, 13-year-old girl Maya, was forced into prostitution by her mother, who works as a maid. On the first night, she was sold for Rs 5000. Later, she was taken to a hotel in the vicinity where she had a new customer everyday, until she was rescued and put in the State Protective Home.
Shobhna, 16-year-old had everything going her way till the unfortunate day left her without home and shelter. She stayed with her elder brother. "She worked as a rag picker and got involved with a boy. Last time we met her she was pregnant, but she is missing since May 26, 2005. We fear the worst," revealed a resident of the locality.
There may be many like them, children of ordinary parents who worked hard to make both ends meet, but are forced to become commercial sex workers by a responsible society that has turned a blind eye towards them.
(Names have been changed to protect their identities)
BAINA: "I am scared. Today, poverty and circumstances have forced my sister into prostitution. Tomorrow, my daughter may be another victim of poverty and human apathy," says Rupa's elder sister.
Rupa, 12-year-old, was pushed into prostitution by poverty and circumstances. At 7 am in the morning of June 14, 2004 when bulldozers tore through and brutally and indiscriminately obliterated the homes of people living in Baina, the red-light area of Goa. Rupa was at school. Then she had a hope, a dream of a better future. But a year later, she is now a school drop-out and is coming to terms with her life at Apna Ghar, Merces.
Recalling the happenings of past twelve months, her sister, who is married, revealed how life has changed for the family, especially her little sister. "She was interested in studies and used to go to school regularly. But after demolition, she lost the will to study and used to spend time loitering around with other girls," revealed the dismayed sister. That's the time when a 31-year-old male marauder "befriended" her. He manipulated her situation and got closer to her, while her mother silently encouraged the relationship because the man paid their house rent and also took care of their other financial liabilities.
"My mother, who worked as a sweeper in a government organization, encouraged Rupa as she was in a financial mess," Rupa's sister added.
Rupa is not the only girl who has been pushed into prostitution by her mother. There are many like her. Living in comfort, probably we have never asked ourselves, "What does a woman do when she is denied basic humanity? What does it mean to become a sexual slave of a man to save your family?"
But many poor young girls in Baina know the answer best. Poverty has forced them into child prostitution. They offer themselves for sex in return for money. Money, with which they can feed their family, pay the house rent.
Another, 13-year-old girl Maya, was forced into prostitution by her mother, who works as a maid. On the first night, she was sold for Rs 5000. Later, she was taken to a hotel in the vicinity where she had a new customer everyday, until she was rescued and put in the State Protective Home.
Shobhna, 16-year-old had everything going her way till the unfortunate day left her without home and shelter. She stayed with her elder brother. "She worked as a rag picker and got involved with a boy. Last time we met her she was pregnant, but she is missing since May 26, 2005. We fear the worst," revealed a resident of the locality.
There may be many like them, children of ordinary parents who worked hard to make both ends meet, but are forced to become commercial sex workers by a responsible society that has turned a blind eye towards them.
(Names have been changed to protect their identities)
Fresh trade: Now, sex workers in a clean job: An economic rehabilitation programme to provide alternative livelihood options
Fresh trade: Now, sex workers in a clean job: An economic rehabilitation programme to provide alternative livelihood options
Preetu Nair
Goa, India
Wheels of fortune are changing, slowly but steadily for silent, helpless victims of the sex trap woven by a powerful network. There is now hope in the lives of hundreds of stigmatized and marginalized traffic victims who are eager to leave the fresh trade but forced to continue in the “business” due to lack of alternative livelihood options
When Vidya (name changed), was pushed into the oldest profession in the world –- prostitution -- at the age of 12, she had no choice but sell her body and earn a living. The mass demolition of cubicles in the red light area at Baina did not change their condition. It only made matters worse as she now travelled to other parts of the state for ‘business’. She tried for a job but the social stigma attached to her ruined her chances.
On the other hand, Sheila from Vasco didn’t realise when she was caught in the web of commercial sexual exploitation. And by the time she did, it was too late. Her mother due to poverty pushed her into the trade and now uncertain future worried her. She is eager to leave the flesh trade but it is the only “job” she knows is available for her.
Anyay Rahit Zindagi, ARZ, an NGO working for upliftment of trafficked women, as part of its economic rehabilitation programme WISH (Women’s Initiative towards Self Help) has set up a fully mechanised laundry unit “SWIFT WASH” at Sancole Industrial Estate for trafficked victims. This scheme is first of its kind in the state of Goa and is a blend of humane approach with hands on administration. This unit will start functioning from this month.
At the moment the unit has the capacity to provide employment to 40 women only. “We want to ensure that women earn a dignified income, as it is the only tool that can pull them out and plug all entries into prostitution,” revealed Arun Pandey, ARZ.
Arun strongly believes that they can bring about a difference in the lives only with the help of locals, government and civil society, who believe that economic rehabilitation is the need of the hour to rescue women from the flesh trade. “This is a women’s collective and our effort is to ensure that it develops into a full fledged women’s cooperative with trafficked women being the sole owner of the entire business unit,” he said.
This is a big dream by any yardstick. Innovative as it may sound, this experiment in philanthropy may actually change the fate of trafficked victims.
Preetu Nair
Goa, India
Wheels of fortune are changing, slowly but steadily for silent, helpless victims of the sex trap woven by a powerful network. There is now hope in the lives of hundreds of stigmatized and marginalized traffic victims who are eager to leave the fresh trade but forced to continue in the “business” due to lack of alternative livelihood options
When Vidya (name changed), was pushed into the oldest profession in the world –- prostitution -- at the age of 12, she had no choice but sell her body and earn a living. The mass demolition of cubicles in the red light area at Baina did not change their condition. It only made matters worse as she now travelled to other parts of the state for ‘business’. She tried for a job but the social stigma attached to her ruined her chances.
On the other hand, Sheila from Vasco didn’t realise when she was caught in the web of commercial sexual exploitation. And by the time she did, it was too late. Her mother due to poverty pushed her into the trade and now uncertain future worried her. She is eager to leave the flesh trade but it is the only “job” she knows is available for her.
Anyay Rahit Zindagi, ARZ, an NGO working for upliftment of trafficked women, as part of its economic rehabilitation programme WISH (Women’s Initiative towards Self Help) has set up a fully mechanised laundry unit “SWIFT WASH” at Sancole Industrial Estate for trafficked victims. This scheme is first of its kind in the state of Goa and is a blend of humane approach with hands on administration. This unit will start functioning from this month.
At the moment the unit has the capacity to provide employment to 40 women only. “We want to ensure that women earn a dignified income, as it is the only tool that can pull them out and plug all entries into prostitution,” revealed Arun Pandey, ARZ.
Arun strongly believes that they can bring about a difference in the lives only with the help of locals, government and civil society, who believe that economic rehabilitation is the need of the hour to rescue women from the flesh trade. “This is a women’s collective and our effort is to ensure that it develops into a full fledged women’s cooperative with trafficked women being the sole owner of the entire business unit,” he said.
This is a big dream by any yardstick. Innovative as it may sound, this experiment in philanthropy may actually change the fate of trafficked victims.
On trafficking scenario in Goa: Stray thoughts
Majority of the NGO's based in Goa and metro based NGO's are discussing and circulating the National Human Rights Commission study (NHRC) that was done in 2003 and released in 2005. It is important to note here that the study focused highly on the unofficial red light area of Goa- Baina. But now in 2006 with Baina demolished, is the study really relevant?
The trend of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking has changed. The transit and entry points have changed. As a journalist who has sincerely reported on these issues, I am concerned that these NGO's funded by USAID and UNIFEM by talking about trafficking in Goa using an old study are clearly showing their ignorance about the matter.
For the first time in 2003, the U.S. made non-humanitarian aid contingent on a country tier placement in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report). Countries rated by the State Department as having made no significant effort to fight trafficking, i.e. Tier 3, faced the potential loss of U.S. military aid, educational and cultural assistance, and support from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
According to information available, Shakti Vahini (NGO) has published Indian Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which rates in one of five "tiers" the anti-trafficking performance of each Indian state. Started last year (2004), the Report parallels and complements US Government's TIP Report from a uniquely Indian perspective (http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2005/46608.htm). Goa is put in category two states in the report brought out in 2004 by Shaktivahini based on a study done in Goa in 2001. Interestingly, the two–page chapter on Goa says that children are trafficked in the state for begging. There can't be anything more ridiculous than this. Another interesting fact is that in the 2001 study, Baina the unofficial red-light area was the hub of traffickers but by 2004 when the report was presented the situation had changed. I hope you agree that to have people who have such low understanding of the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking in Goa to talk on the scenario in Goa would definitely pose a great danger to cause.
Till now the NGO's forced the government to act and formulate Children's Act, Juvenile Justice rules etc. But now a new trend has started wherein the NGO's are doing what the government should be doing—mainstreaming children's rights, preparing state action plan to combat trafficking, training different stake-holders etc. Nothing wrong. But if they are eager to take credit for making policies, then they also need to face criticism for the government failure to rehabilitate trafficked victims and action against the Public Prosecutor based in Margao who has been accused of employing child labour. It is surprising that the very NGO's who make the shrillest and loudest noises claiming about their work and their contribution to the issue of trafficking in conference halls of three and five star resorts conveniently forget to question the government for its inaction because now they are collaborating and networking with the government.
The trend of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking has changed. The transit and entry points have changed. As a journalist who has sincerely reported on these issues, I am concerned that these NGO's funded by USAID and UNIFEM by talking about trafficking in Goa using an old study are clearly showing their ignorance about the matter.
For the first time in 2003, the U.S. made non-humanitarian aid contingent on a country tier placement in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report). Countries rated by the State Department as having made no significant effort to fight trafficking, i.e. Tier 3, faced the potential loss of U.S. military aid, educational and cultural assistance, and support from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
According to information available, Shakti Vahini (NGO) has published Indian Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which rates in one of five "tiers" the anti-trafficking performance of each Indian state. Started last year (2004), the Report parallels and complements US Government's TIP Report from a uniquely Indian perspective (http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2005/46608.htm). Goa is put in category two states in the report brought out in 2004 by Shaktivahini based on a study done in Goa in 2001. Interestingly, the two–page chapter on Goa says that children are trafficked in the state for begging. There can't be anything more ridiculous than this. Another interesting fact is that in the 2001 study, Baina the unofficial red-light area was the hub of traffickers but by 2004 when the report was presented the situation had changed. I hope you agree that to have people who have such low understanding of the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking in Goa to talk on the scenario in Goa would definitely pose a great danger to cause.
Till now the NGO's forced the government to act and formulate Children's Act, Juvenile Justice rules etc. But now a new trend has started wherein the NGO's are doing what the government should be doing—mainstreaming children's rights, preparing state action plan to combat trafficking, training different stake-holders etc. Nothing wrong. But if they are eager to take credit for making policies, then they also need to face criticism for the government failure to rehabilitate trafficked victims and action against the Public Prosecutor based in Margao who has been accused of employing child labour. It is surprising that the very NGO's who make the shrillest and loudest noises claiming about their work and their contribution to the issue of trafficking in conference halls of three and five star resorts conveniently forget to question the government for its inaction because now they are collaborating and networking with the government.
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