Guwahati: Awareness meet on World Day against Trafficking in Persons

Staff reporter

Guwahati: In observance of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women under the Office of the District Social Welfare Officer, Kamrup Metropolitan District, organized a public awareness cum convergence meeting on Tuesday. The programme was held at the conference hall of the Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment at Lakhimandir, Beltola.

The event aimed to raise awareness about human trafficking and witch-hunting—two heinous crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls—and to promote coordinated responses in tackling them. The awareness meet also marked the implementation of the State Policy against Human Trafficking and Witch Hunting recently notified by the Government of Assam.

The meeting began with a welcome address by Santosh Kutum, District Social Welfare Officer, Kamrup Metro, who acknowledged the presence of dignitaries and representatives from various departments including the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Health, Education, Police, ASRLM, PNRD, Legal Services Authority, State Home and Children Home, Women Helpline-181, One Stop Centre, and Shakti Sadan, among others.

The Director of Social Justice and Empowerment, Assam, graced the occasion and delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the urgency of multi-stakeholder collaboration to combat trafficking and witch-hunting.

Two technical sessions followed, focusing on trafficking response mechanisms and witch-hunting prevention. These sessions were conducted by resource persons from Independent Thought, a UNICEF-supported organisation, and the Birubala Foundation. An open discussion session was also held, led by representatives from the District Legal Services Authority and the Home Department.

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