Trafficking for ‘domestic labour’ prevalent in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — While human trafficking is a concern in Nagaland, it often takes a less visible form compared to other regions. Lozua Kape, a Child Welfare Committee member, highlighted that the practice often involves children brought in under false pretenses of better education and disguised as “domestic help” or even “adoption.”

A consultative meeting organised by Miqlat Ministry in Dimapur addressed this issue on World Day against Trafficking in Persons on Tuesday. The meeting focused on the theme “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight against Human Trafficking” and saw participation from stakeholders involved in child and women’s protection.

Kape shared insights from rescue and intervention efforts, revealing how ‘owners’ lure parents with small sums of money and false promises of education. While exploiting disabled children for begging is more prevalent in other states, Nagaland primarily sees trafficking for domestic labour.

She said that about 30-40 cases of child abuse and violence are registered in the state every month.

Kape cited an example of a minor girl trafficked from Tripura to Nagaland by a theologian who promised education. The girl was reportedly living with a pastor’s family and was admitted to a government school.

However, she was subjected to physical and sexual abuse and the case only came to light through a school friend– a domestic helper– who then reported it to her ‘owner’.

This incident, Kape said, highlights the crucial role of educators in identifying and reporting suspected cases of trafficking and abuse, especially since most child domestic workers are admitted in government schools.

Kape also raised concerns about the practice of changing non-Naga domestic workers’ names to Naga names. This practice, she argued, can have lasting consequences for the children as they carry these assumed identities.

She urged employers to respect the children’s given names and refrain from changing it into Naga names because the Nagas are unique and have their own identity.

Many Naga women working in vulnerable situations across the country

Gracy Ayee, State Mission Coordinator, State Hub for Empowerment of Women (SHEW), Mission Shakti Nagaland, spoke about the challenges of addressing human trafficking among women, sharing experiences from operating helplines and One Stop Centres (OSCs).

Noting a surge in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, she highlighted the difficulties in rescuing and rehabilitating Naga women in vulnerable situations in cities like Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, and Goa, particularly those working in hotels and spas.

She also stressed the need for vigilance, encouraging parents to question the source of income when their daughters working outside the state send substantial amounts of money home, despite not being educated or skilled enough. She also called for a shift in societal attitudes, urging communities to support and empower victims of trafficking and abuse rather than resorting to victim-blaming.

Ayee shared a rescue case involving a 21-year-old Naga woman who had dropped out of school. Convinced by a friend with promises of well-paying work, she travelled outside Nagaland, only to be trained for “body spa” services upon arrival. Distressed by the situation, she reached out to her mother, who then sought help for her rescue.

In this connection, she acknowledged the prevalence of similar situations involving Naga women working in such establishments. However, she noted that because these women were adults and seemingly consenting, their options for intervention were limited.

Ayee maintained out that commercial prostitution constitutes a 78 per cent of human trafficking cases, and said that traffickers typically prey on individuals in vulnerable situations, exploiting their desire to earn money.

While emphasising the importance of rescue and rehabilitation efforts, she stressed the need for increased community involvement in preventing trafficking.

Ayee concluded by outlining various schemes under Mission Shakti aimed at empowering women and providing support.

Collaboration and awareness

Thejavizo Nakhro, SDO (Civil) and Revenue Officer of Chümoukedima, addressed human trafficking as a pressing concern on global, national, and local levels. He underscored the need to prioritise prevention, urging collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies to create an environment that deters trafficking.

Nakhro stressed the critical importance of providing comprehensive support to victims, including rescue services, rehabilitation programmes, and access to legal aid. He further highlighted the need for raising public awareness through education and community outreach, and suggested collaborations with NGOs working at the grassroots level.

He concluded by stating that well-informed and vigilant citizens are crucial in combating human trafficking, regardless of the form it takes.

Addressing child sexual abuse

Yanbemo Ngullie, a panel lawyer with the Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA), highlighted the long-term trauma experienced by victims of child sexual exploitation. He emphasised the crucial role families, relatives, and NGOs play in preventing abuse by educating children about inappropriate relationships, safe and unsafe touch, and self-defense strategies.

He also stressed the importance of open communication between adults and children, urging adults to be approachable and attentive to emotional and behavioural changes.

Furthermore, Ngullie outlined legal measures in place to combat human trafficking and specifically explained that the POCSO Act is designed to protect children from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography, and establishes special courts for handling such offenses. 

Understanding mental health impact

Atemla Anichari, Communication Training Officer at CIHSR, discussed the mental health implications for trafficked children, highlighting the prevalence of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal tendencies among these vulnerable individuals.

She noted that while adults may express trauma in certain ways, the manifestation may be different for children and as such, they go through so much mental trauma. She went on to say that stopping human trafficking is not a one-man show but requires a multi-disciplinary approach.

Nivizolie Meyase, Joint Director of the District Education Office, outlined efforts within educational institutions to prevent child trafficking, including counselling sessions, seminars, and designated support systems for students.

Schools are entrusted with displaying emergency contact information on campus and have designated female teachers to provide guidance and support to female students, he said.