The Trafficking Tragedy and the Feminine Face of Poverty in India

Gender discrimination, deeply rooted in the social traditions, is also responsible for the high level of vulnerability of the impoverished women. Women involved in trafficking often have a history of being abused by males in their own families and are often a part of a discriminatory and disturbed home environment marred by marital discord, family break-up and desertions by husbands/fathers. Gender discrimination has long-term implications as well, when women and girls are denied education. This not only cuts down their chances of learning and earning, but also makes them remain ignorant and ill-informed, especially about their human rights. Such women end up becoming weak in mind with low self-esteem and lack of judgemental qualities that increases their vulnerability to trafficking, violence and discrimination. Poverty itself being a complex phenomenon does not effectuate its ramifications only on the economy of the household. In fact, when coupled with discriminatory practices, it creates an adverse impact upon the health of women. Poor information levels have increased prevalence of common diseases and have reduced their access to better healthcare. Poor women have no right over their reproductive health and often are abused by the males in their houses.

Thus, it can be concluded that trafficking as a problem has dangerous consequences on an individual’s right to live and survive. Delving into its root causes, it can be inferred that high vulnerability exists for women and girls belonging to the poorest of the poor households living in the remote districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Prevalence of rampant poverty, gender discrimination, poor education, low levels of healthcare and lack of sustainable livelihoods compel these poor families to trade their daughters and wives with traffickers; in cases where there is no direct trading, innocent families are gullible enough to fall into the trap of dubious men, who pretend to be job recruiters or prospective bridegrooms and entice their women and girls to accompany them to big cities, where they are ruthlessly sold off to brothels. Abject poverty of the area often works in favour of these traffickers, who make profits out of such desperate situations and keep expanding their businesses in a sophisticated manner.