The scope and scale of trafficking in India is immense. This modern slavery has deep and ancient roots. Use the links below to find out more.

[poverty]

Some 42% of India’s population live below the internationally recognised poverty line of $1.25 a day. Figures from the World Bank indicate that 43% of under 5s in India are undernourished. In fact the most comprehensive survey of world poverty (Multi-dimensional Poverty Index), indicates that 55% of Indians are living in poverty in its broadest sense. Such extreme poverty makes Indians vulnerable to traffickers. It also restricts access to healthcare, education and many other necessities of life. Poverty is most prevalent among the Dalits – those categorised as scheduled castes and scheduled tribes by the government. [Read more...]

[discrimination]

The root cause of poverty among India’s Dalits is discrimination. For thousands of years, Indian society has been centred around the caste system, restricting individuals and families to particular strata in society and to particular occupations. Dalits fall below the caste system, and are restricted to the most poorly paid and often the most degrading jobs. This affects the way they are viewed in society and often leads to discrimination in other ways, for example restricting their access to basic human rights such as education, healthcare, justice and even drinking water. It also means they are subjected to violence and exploitation. Although discrimination is outlawed, it still persists, particularly in rural areas. There are 250 million Dalits in India – almost a quarter of the population. [Read more...]

[attitudes]

The ancient roots of poverty and discrimination, mean that trafficking and slavery of Dalits is an accepted part of life by most people in India. There is little to no outcry when oppression and exploitation takes place. Bonded labour, brothels and beggars have ‘always been there’, they satisfy the demand for cheap labour and the demand for sex, so no-one questions why it has to go on that way. Perhaps this explains why the emergence of India as a world power with its flourishing industry and technological growth often ignores or conveniently forgets the very real issues of poverty and slavery. [Read more...]

[cry for freedom]

In 2001, thousands of Dalit travelled from all over India to New Delhi to denounce the oppressive discriminatory system under which they had been living for approximately 3000 years. In the same year, Dalit leaders converged on Hyderabad to request help from around the world to remedy the situation. It was here that the seeds of the Dalit Freedom Network were planted. [Read more...]

Dalits are the major victims of trafficking in India. Dalit Freedom Network is responding to their cry for freedom. [Read more...]