AdHiCAR – Advocating for Human Trafficking Captives and their Rights – MSAI India

Name of the activity: AdHiCAR – Advocating for Human Trafficking Captives and their Rights

Country/NMO: MSAI India

Program: Ethics and Human Rights in Health

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: First-time Activity

Category: Advocacy

Focus area: Organ and human trafficking

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

Problem statement:

Trafficking is prohibited by the Constitution of India. Yet India is a source, destination and transit for human trafficking primarily for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. According to NCRB In 2019, 6616 human trafficking cases were registered in India. During the  lockdown in 2020, schools and workplaces were closed, traffickers exploited the situation by targeting desperate families. According to NHRCI 40,000 children are abducted each year, leaving 11,000 untraced in India.

Target groups:

• Medical students
• Healthcare Students

Beneficiaries:

• General population
• Victims of Human Trafficking and their families

Objectives:

1. To sensitize at least 250 medical students about Human trafficking, groups at high risk, Impact of COVID-19 and Human Rights violations associated in an hour online session through relevant statistics, presentation and group discussion over a time frame of 4 months.
2. To educate at least 250 medical students about methods employed by traffickers, Role of internet and digital hunting fields in an hour online session through a presentation and group discussion over a time frame of 4 months.
3. To equip at least 250 medical students with the knowledge of various consequences of trafficking on victims and stigma faced by survivors in an hour online session through a presentation and group discussion over a time frame of 4 months. 
4. To introduce 250 students to blue heart campaign, spotting the signs of trafficking, trauma-informed approach for survivors in an hour online session through a presentation and group discussion over a time frame of 4 months

Indicators of Success:

General Indicators:

Number of participants: At least 250

Volunteer satisfaction: at least 8/10

At least 70% of the participants participate actively in the group discussion

Specific Indicators:

-At least 60% of the participants become aware about Human trafficking, its purpose and groups at high risk.

-At least 60% of the participants understand about methods employed by traffickers, Role of internet and digital hunting fields.

-At least 60% of the participants know about the impact of COVID-19 on Human trafficking situation.

-At least 60% of the participants are able to understand the Human Rights violations associated to human trafficking 

-At least 60% of the participants understand consequences of trafficking on victims and stigma faced by survivors.

-At least 60% of the participants become aware of the blue heart campaign spotting the signs of trafficking, trauma-informed approach for survivors and the role of medical students for the same.

Methodology:

1. A comprehensive toolkit outlining the goals and methodology of the activity was developed by the National Team. For discussion, a presentation focusing on objectives of the activity was designed using the data from UN and Indian government official websites.
2. For the activity a group of enthusiastic volunteers are collected. 
3. The target population was identified and gathered on an online platform. Organisers ensured that minimum (12) and the maximum (25) criterias were fulfilled.
4. Pre-event questionnaire is filled by each participant prior to the discussion.
5. A discussion is held on human trafficking,its consequences and role of medical students using the presentation, video and examples provided in the resource document. 
6. At the end, the post event questionnaires are filled by the participants.
7. Post event report is filled by the organiser which is then evaluated by the National Team

Plans for evaluation:

-Gantt Chart used for monitoring the timeline of activity right from planning to execution.

Active monitoring done to identify, analyze and solve any deviations or problems faced by the volunteers in conducting the activity.

-Quantitative evaluation: Pre and post event questionnaire responses compared and evaluated using mean and percentage based statistical modalities to assess the impact.

-Qualitative evaluation: Feedback for the event filled by organizers in the post event report

-Data obtained from the pre and post event questionnaire, quality of interaction from post event report form compared with the success indicators set for the activity.

-Event organisers also submit a summary of the event, along with pictures as a method to monitor the activity.

External collaborations:

Organizers encouraged to collaborate with externals working against human trafficking in persons or if possible with the victims of human trafficking who are willing to come forward and share their experiences.