Anti-trafficking movement gets boost after date with Hillary Clinton

Organisations working to check trafficking have got a moral boost with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meeting daughters of sex workers, trafficking survivors and activists involved in their rescue and rehabilitation in Kolkata.

"When one of the most powerful politicians in the world comes and meets us it shows that we have international support for our anti-trafficking work," Ruchira Gupta of ‘Apne Aap’, an NGO, said.

"As she (Clinton) is a woman herself, the meeting is symbolic as women can help other women in need all over the world," she said.

Gupta, who moderated the discussion between Clinton and nine NGOs, mostly from Bengal, said she was keen to know how she could help trafficked women and children. "She took note of our suggestions and kept asking questions on our work and the government help needed."

During her hour-long stay at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) complex here last evening, Clinton not only enjoyed a modern Bengali song and dance by survivors of sex trafficking but also had a 'long and fruitful discussion' with activists working on the subject.

Manab Roy, deputy programme director of ‘Save the Children’, said the meeting between the anti-trafficking organisers and Clinton had given them the 'rarest opportunity'.

"It is very encouraging for our movement. We now expect that the USA will take up the issue with the Indian government," he said.