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ShareA couple of months ago, the US ambassador-at-large (global women's issues), Melanne Verveer, got an unexpected visit from Bollywood film producer Firoz Nadiadwala with a strange request. He requested her to give a talk on the issue of human trafficking and the need to create awareness to combat the issue.
Following the meeting, a nationwide-campaign called ACT (against child trafficking), was launched on November 5.The launch saw NGOs, Save the Children and Prerana, corporates like Wizcraft and GAP, and the film fraternity, including Nadiadwala and Preity Zinta, coming together and pledging their support for the cause.
The campaign was kicked off by Preity Zinta and Melanne Verbeer signing the ACT charter at the event.ACT aims to mobilise people by creating awareness and raising funds for child welfare organisations.
"Every movie we produce will carry a public service advertisement (PSA). Movies will also have charity premiers and dinners to raise funds for the organisations working for rescued children," said Nadiadwala.
"In order to prevent such practices, we need to inform people. Unless they understand the magnitude of the problem, prevention will not work," said Verveer. "It is important to ensure that the police are aware and these crimes are investigated and the criminals prosecuted. We need prevention, protection and prosecution."
ACT also plans to work with the police department, government officials and NGOs. "We want to identify the various pockets where human trafficking is rampant. We then plan to make sure that the women who are rescued from human trafficking are given proper education and employment," said Nadiadwala.
There are 28 lakh people in India who are forced into the flesh trade, said Preity Zinta, and urged people to become a part of the campaign. Shubhadra Anand, CEO, Save The Children, echoed her sentiments.
