Finally, the community comes together to stand up against the Bride trafficking. Today there are about 500 community groups having more than 5,000 such community members. The high way of in- country trafficking especially for bride trafficking starts from Assam and West Bengal and goes down to the capital of the country. The mobilisation of the community is very encouraging outcome of the 16 day march started on 1st March 2012. The March had covered 4,400 odd km travelling through 21 districts of the two states. Some facts, case studies and videos related to Bride trafficking were shared in street meetings. some times mothers/relatives of victims broke down in public as their daughters are still missing. After Audio-visual presentation in street People motivated to take charge of protection of their daughters, and they found the right forum and time to come together to fight trafficking.
Religious leader also came forward. They actively participated in the motor bike rally. Imams discussed the plight of victims in their meeting in the mosques. The social issues being discussed by religious leaders will go a long way in combating bride trafficking. Some 50 meetings and two Anti-trafficking conventions with Muslim religious leaders were held. These meeting ended with the promise that the discussion over the issue on Friday khutba will be continued with inputs from EMPOWER PEOPLE on situation it will be taken up once a month. Similarly, Arya Smaj also has shown keen interest in taking up activities related to this social movement against bride trafficking. They have planned to start a campaign in their area with help of EMPOWER PEOPLE. Plan of March :Assam to Delhi” and concept of “people’s network against trafficking” which is named as “civic anti trafficking unit” was actually result of the feedback from the concerned groups and targeted communities. The Social movement against trafficking has began.
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