Half the districts in India are affected by human trafficking: NCW

New Delhi, Oct 4 (ANI): According to a report of the National Commission for Women, (NCW) at least half of the 612 districts in the country are affected by trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation.

The NCW report says that in 378 districts, there are 1,794 identified places of origin from where females are trafficked and 1,016 areas where commercial sexual activities take place.

The NCW says that the promise of a job is the biggest way of deception and accounts for over 50 per cent of trafficking cases.

The states in southern and eastern India ae the most vulnerable as far as trafficking is concerned, say the report.

The report also found out that almost all the districts in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are affected by this problem.

Tamil Nadu with 93.33 per cent of its districts are affected, is leading the tally of the states affected by human trafficking followed by Orissa with 86.66 per cent and Bihar 86.48 per cent.

The report further added that 2.4 per cent of the total female population in age group of 15-35 years in the country are affected by commercial sexual exploitation.

According to the report there are over 28 lakh commercial sex workers in the country. And over 43 percent women enter to this flesh trade in their minor ages.

The report expressed concern over the entry of minors in flesh trade from the regions where incidence of poverty and hunger are comparatively high

Reasons like violence against women, high rate of unemployment and lack of options contribute to the vulnerability of trafficking of adults, the report says.

The report says that gender discrimination and gender specific violence and crimes perpetuate the vulnerability of women and children and act as one of the reasons behind trafficking.

The report also says that more than 22 per cent women are trafficked and forced into flesh trade by family members.

Around 8 per cent women are trafficked by husbands or in-laws and friends or neighbours lure 18 per cent. More than 51 per cent women in commercial sex were trafficked either by family members or in-laws, the report says.

The report reveals that about 22 per cent of traffickers are not prosecuted due to their political backing. (ANI)