Youth Empowerment: Undoing Modern Slavery, One Class at a Time

Human trafficking is an issue that has been covered by commercial news and media in our country frequently. However, since a large majority of the victims are from the most vulnerable groups in the society, these narratives have been normalized amidst the privileged communities and a high percentage of the stories go ignored. It is in this context that Jayendra Deshmukh, a working professional, joined TribesforGOOD and took initiative to do his part about this issue through the Young Professional Program. He conducted training sessions on business communication and goal setting for a group of young women, who are the survivors of trafficking. 

Human trafficking is the trade of humans for forced labour, sexual servitude, or commercial sexual exploitation. It is a problem that knows no age, gender, or border but frequently quietly erodes the social fabric of our nation. Its various manifestations include exploitation in the domains of sex, occupation, and industries like hospitality, entertainment, etc. Trafficked individuals often experience violence, forced labor with little to no payment, inhumane working conditions, and captivity.

Last year, over one thousand human trafficking cases were reported with almost three thousand victims across India. According to the U.S Department of State, India has conducted very few investigations related to trafficking and achieved fewer convictions. In 2022, the acquittal rate for traffickers remains at 89 percent. This alarming number indicates that even during the crisis period of the pandemic when resources were scarce, trafficking and transport of victims continued to happen. 

Rehabilitation and reintegration is necessary to bring the survivors back into society so that they can live like they used to. The initial step of rehabilitation includes providing housing and other basic necessities. Once a victim has been identified and secured they should immediately be brought to a shelter, provided by NGOs or the host-country. This is followed by medical care and counseling by professionals who help them overcome the trauma and feelings of shame, despair and hopelessness. They are also provided with legal advice, and access to important documents. They also need help to be accepted by their family or friends, and return home if they wish so.

To help victims, reintegration has to happen apart from rehabilitation. In reintegration, the survivor has access to job training programs and education. Reinsertion into education through vocational training programs are highly effective. Business communication is an important element that increases employment prospects and confidence of the survivor. By providing help to set realistic employment goals commensurate with their abilities, skills and tools we can protect survivors from revictimization. Based on their education level, and the available employment opportunities in the area, goal setting plans can be provided. These trainings can enable the survivors to get a job or start a micro-enterprise, which will help them generate income and become independent.

The migrant crisis during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, resulted in migrants in thousands having to walk miles just to reach their native towns. They were deprived of basic amenities like food, shelter, and transportation services and there are families who will never recover from this tragedy. This opened the young professional, Jayendra’s eyes to the basic amenities he for granted, while he lived in an urban privileged space, and  this pushed him to the thought that as a collective, we need to do more. He decided to start taking action by himself, and joined TribesforGOOD to work in the areas of human trafficking and youth employability. 

Through the classes, Jayendra improved their confidence by guiding them on effective communication methods that can be used in interview and formal settings. In the goal setting classes, he taught the importance of having solid goals and inspired them into wanting an effective employment. He listened to each of the womens’ personal goals, analyzed their interests and skills, and suggested customized paths to achieving them. He also suggested some specific courses on digital; marketing and communication, to hone their skills and make them more career – ready.

Jayendra has decided to continue his journey with social impact, as he believes in consistency. For this, he will be following up with the women he worked with to ensure they are still following their goals and using their skills Jayendra’s major goal is to tackle the pressing issue of youth employment. He plans on starting with the women, by making them employable in all aspects, once they complete their graduation/diploma.. He has decided to track their progress after an interval of a  month, and ensure that they have started the courses on Digital marketing and Communication skills. He has also decided to further fine-tune their goals with the career of their choosing, and to connect them with the right resources to further educate them on their passion, if required. 

Jayendra is a part of TribesforGOOD’s Young Professionals Program, which enables young adults and professionals to do their best in the social impact space. To know more, click here. Interested? Write to us at mandeep@tribesforgood.com to sign up!