In an effort to sensitise officials on women trafficking within the rail network, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has collaborated with the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
According to a statement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NCW and RPF, with the objective to equip officials with training to effectively address women trafficking.
The statement also highlighted that both the organisations joined forces in light of concerning statistics indicating that 70 percent of trafficking victims are women, underlining the grave need for coordinated action to safeguard the most vulnerable members of society.
NCW efforts to combat women trafficking
NCW has been actively working with law enforcement agencies like Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to fight against the scourge of women trafficking and had also established an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell on April 2, 2022.
Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of NCW, underscored the susceptibility of women and young girls to trafficking, pointing out the extensive railway network of Indian Railways, which spans over 65,000 kilometers and comprises 7,500 stations, as a conduit for traffickers.
Sharma stressed on the crucial role of RPF personnel stationed at railway stations in thwarting human trafficking and urged them to serve as the commission’s eyes and ears in tackling crimes against women.
RPF personnel to undergo training
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, RPF personnel will undergo sensitisation and training to bolster their capacity in identifying and reporting suspicious activities, the statement outlined.
This collaborative endeavor aims to empower RPF personnel to act as an additional layer of defense against human trafficking, enhancing the overall efforts to combat this menace.
Manoj Yadav, Director-General (RPF), acknowledged the complexities involved in tracking women trafficking and expressed optimism that with the commission’s support, Indian Railways would be better equipped to tackle this issue effectively.