The Delhi Commission for Women is concerned about the increasing menace of trafficking of girls and women in Delhi. To study the conditions of the sex workers in G. B. Road, the Chairperson and the Members visited the area and observed the conditions. A plan of action has been worked out to improve the conditions of living of theirs with the co-operation of different departments of the Delhi Government like Department of Social Welfare, Health, Police and NGOs working in the G. B. Road area.
The reporting period has seen rescue operations of minor girls from the G. B. Road Kothas numbering 95. Ms. Chhaya Sharma, IPS, Trainee who was posted at the Kamla Market Police Station deserves appreciation for the work she has done in rescuing the minors with the help of an NGO “STOP”. A total of 261 girls were rescued at different intervals through raids. A state-wise break up is as follows:
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| 1. | Andhra Pradesh | 77 |
| 2. | Bihar | 11 |
| 3. | West Bengal | 65 |
| 4. | Rajasthan | 20 |
| 5. | Karnataka | 19 |
| 6. | Maharashtra | 13 |
| 7. | U. P. | 5 |
| 8. | Assam | 1 |
| 9. | Tamil Nadu | 2 |
| 10. | Arunachal Pradesh | 1 |
| 11. | Delhi | 1 |
| 12. | Sikkim | 1 |
| 13. | Madhya Pradesh | 5 |
| 14. | Uttaranchal | 1 |
| 15. | Haryana | 1 |
| Total from Indian States | 223 |
Number of foreign girls : 38 Nepalese girls were also rescued, thus a total of 261 girls were rescued and put in Nirmal Chhaya Observation Home for girls, a Govt. run home. After confirming the age of the minors by a bone test, adult girls are being transferred to Nari Niketan at the Nirmal Chhaya Complex.
The total number of Indian girls transferred to different states is 22 which is as follows:
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| 1. | Andhra Pradesh | 9 |
| 2. | West Bengal | 6 |
| 3. | Rajasthan | 4 |
| 4. | Karnataka | 1 |
| 5. | Maharashtra | 2 |
| Total | 22 |
A total number of Nepali girls repatriated were 21. One of the Delhi girls restored to guardian through the Delhi Commission for Women by a Court order.
Consultations:
On 14.06.02, pursuant to the direction of the Hon’ble High Court, the Delhi Commission for Women has held extensive consultations with the state and non state actors and stake holders in an effort to involve a consensual plan of action to check the menace of child being trafficked into prostitution and a detailed follow up action was submitted to the Hon'ble Court.
Regular Visits:
The Chairperson and Members visited Nirmal Chhaya Observation Home and Nari Niketan at regular intervals to study and observe the conditions of these homes and the inmates. Members have counselled the rescued minor girls during personal interviews with them and it was revealed that most of these girls have come to Delhi due to poverty, desertion by their husbands, unemployment in their respective states/country. Some of these girls earn money through this sex work and support their parents and family. Delhi Commission for Women also helped to conduct the classes on health and hygiene, especially with the help of a renowned gynecologist, Dr. Mrs. Alka Dal. Some of the girls belonging to Kolkata were helped to locate parents/guardians with the help of Mr. Barun Kumar Ray, Additional District Magistrate, 24, South Parganas, Alipur, Kolkatta. A number of suggestions also submitted to the Hon'ble Court in improving infra structural facilities of these homes. Due to the continuous raids in the G. B. Road area, prostitution is spreading to other areas also because of the constant vigil of Police at this particular area. The need for preventing, controlling and giving awareness to the mass against the social evil is very much there. The different
State Government’s, NGOs, civil society, police, judiciary all can play a part in the prevention and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking and integrating them into families and society.