Abstract
BackgroundHuman trafficking is a critical public health issue particularly pervasive in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP), which share a border with Nepal. Many NGOs are participating in prevention, protection, prosecution, and capacity building initiatives. The aim of this study was to identify factors hindering and enhancing the efficacy of anti-trafficking programs in the region.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.ResultsThematic analysis revealed that the barriers hindering the anti-trafficking movement include police corruption, insufficient enforcement of national law, discrimination toward trafficking victims, inadequate funding, and lack of government involvement. Recommendations for overcoming these barriers were through empowering survivors and increasing cooperation, coordination, and communications between NGOs and the government.ConclusionsIn mitigating these barriers and increasing survivor autonomy, anti-trafficking interventions have the opportunity to create individualized environments for those with an experience of trafficking to thrive. Ultimately, elevating community accountability, honoring individual autonomy, and recognizing the value of the persons with a lived experience of trafficking are critical as we continue to use a public health lens in the fight against human trafficking and for human rights.
Highlights
Human trafficking is a critical public health issue pervasive in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP), which share a border with Nepal
This study aimed to identify the factors hindering and improving the efficacy of anti-trafficking programs in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh along the India-Nepal border
Barriers to anti-trafficking initiatives Thematic analysis revealed that several common problems were hindering the anti-trafficking movement that victims and leaders alike believed needed to be addressed
Summary
Human trafficking is a critical public health issue pervasive in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP), which share a border with Nepal. Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world and carries devastating public health consequences, with the International Labour Organization estimating that there are 40.3 million victims worldwide [1]. In response to this growing problem, Burns et al BMC Public Health (2021) 21:1204. This is true in India, where the regions of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh encompass anti-trafficking programs with the potential to substantially mitigate the trafficking pervasive throughout the area. A household survey conducted by the Bihar Education Project Council showed that there were 2.3 million out-of-school children in Bihar, from which 0.56 million children were out-of-school due to employment [3]
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