National action plan to stop trafficking of women, children
New Delhi, Aug 04: Creating a database on trafficking of women and children and addressing culturally-sanctioned practices such as the 'Devdasi' system are part of a draft national integrated plan of action to fight the menace. The plan of action, drafted at a two-day meeting organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Commission for Women (NCW), involves setting up of a national database and web portal where details of convicted as also probable traffickers would be available. Every state would have its own action plan on trafficking and a nodal cell would be created in the ministry of home affairs to deal with the problem. The proposed action plan stresses on addressing traditionally sanctioned practices like the 'Devdasi' system. "Having a national policy is not enough. State-level plans are required and high-risk areas in every region, district and village need to be identified," NCW chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters here today at the end of the two-day consultation. She said the action plan talks about involving grass-root institutions such as panchayats and municipal bodies in curbing the menace. Vyas said there was a need to involve other ministries, such as health, child, panchayati raj, tourism, railways, road transport, defence, external affairs and education in anti-trafficking efforts. The action plan calls for involvement of the corporate sector for trafficking prevention activities. As for cross-border trafficking, the action plan emphasises the need for short-stay homes or transit centres for victims to be repatriated and developing procedures and protocols for repatriation with neighbouring countries. The action plan will be sent to the ministry of women and child development within a month, after which it will be taken up by the Union Cabinet.