PLANNING, PREPARATION AND EXECUTION

Elpis is the student group from Sophia. The name is taken after the greek Goddess of hope and we thought it to be most fitting to our cause.
The rapidity at which this crime is spreading in our own city gave us a strong cause to spread awareness and make society realize the gravity and the magnitude to which this crime has spread.


Prevention of trafficking in women requires providing education to potential victims. Spreading awareness amongst the members of our society is a very important tool in preventing this form happening. Thus, we believe that the best way we can help to combat human trafficking is by raising awareness about this social menace thereby breaking the chain of demand.
The youth on whom we can make maximum impact as peers, who would in turn make an impact on society were the target audience for all our events.In pursuance of this objective, we have partnered with Mitr Sanketa, An NGO committed to this cause.

Mitr-Sanketa coordinates the program, movement against trafficking, in Bangalore-Karnataka to build and strengthen community protection teams that will be responsible for safeguarding the rights of children and women at risk of being trafficked or for their rescue and rehabilitation It aims at bringing together people from all walks of life to fight an organized battle against trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. Young and old people from all classes and strata of the society-from slum dwellers to college youth are part of this NGO.
Firstly, Elpis organized a screening of an award winning 20 minute documentary, “Anamika” on human trafficking for the ISC section of our school which was followed by a discussion of the issue with Mrs. Brinda and Mrs. Gita Menon, active members of Mitr Sanketa.

The film which sketched out the life of suffering and torture of victims of trafficking exposed the reality of the trafficking as well as its magnitude in our own country. The impact of the film was tremendous and the general response and feedback from the teachers and students was very impressive as most of them were aware of the problem but not the large extent to which it had spread.
The discussion proved to be beneficial to all and included indispensable points like:

1.Help in combating this crime by becoming more aware of the issue [be vigilant…be safe], form anti-trafficking committees/clubs in your schools, colleges, slums, colony, office or even as groups of friends

2.Talk to as many men & women as possible about this, to break the chain of demand and also understand that profiteering through this form of slavery is not to be taken for granted.


3. Sensitize at least 2 other friends on this issue-after all this is about respect to another human being, about equality; the state & society must provide education and employment opportunities that enhance women's worth and status, thereby diminishing the necessity for the women to be forced into prostitution; while punishing people indulging in this form of exploitation and slavery.
Elpis also organized an event on Nov. 1st in order to achieve the dual objectives of raising funds for the rehabilitation centers for victims of human trafficking, and creating awareness about the social menace. It comprised of the screening of the documentary followed by a discussion for an hour and a two hour performance by live rock bands, followed by dinner. It is indeed a pleasure that this fundraiser turned out to be successful. The reaction was very admirable as each and every person present there could feel and sympathize with the sensitivity of this grave issue.

This was followed by a candlelight vigil held on M.G Road on the 7th of November which expressed solidarity with the victims of human trafficking as well as drew the attention of the concerned authorities to this pressing issue. During this vigil, the participants, about 60 in number, comprising of all age groups took a pledge not to be complacent or ignore this crime of human trafficking but to fight it and restore and provide oppurtunities for women to live with dignity and respect.
The extent of awareness created and difference made through this vigil was reflected in the article published in THE HINDU newspaper of the following day.
We were glad to conduct a workshop-cum-competition on the empowerment of women at our school with a view to make students aware of employment opportunities that enhance women's worth and status, thereby diminishing the necessity for the women to be forced into prostitution.

Elpis also held a sign up campaign to provide a platform for people to show their support and concern on combating human trafficking.

In order to achieve maximum results, Elpis has created an online community group on the popular social networking websites like facebook and a blog. Also we sincerely await and hope for reaponses from some of the national and international activists in this sphere.