STOP successfully conducted a one-day programme in Almora, Uttarakhand, aimed at strengthening anti-human trafficking responses and child protection systems in the Kumaon region. The programme brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including government officials, law enforcement agencies, academicians, and representatives from civil society and community-based organizations.
The session opened with a virtual address by Prof. Roma Debabrata, Founder of Ramola Bhar Charitable Trust – Project STOP, who outlined the objectives of the programme and emphasized the need for collaborative, multi-sectoral approaches to address human trafficking. The initiative was further reinforced by the presence of senior officials, who highlighted the importance of convergence and actionable planning in tackling trafficking at both policy and ground levels.
Discussions during the programme focused on regional challenges, particularly cross-border vulnerabilities, and the urgent need for preventive strategies through awareness generation at the community and school levels. Stakeholders engaged in in-depth deliberations on trafficking trends, vulnerable populations, and existing legal frameworks, bringing forward practical insights from field experiences.
The programme featured dedicated sessions with representatives from Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), government departments, NGOs, and CBOs. An interactive open forum with representatives from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Juvenile Justice Board (JJ Board), and Cyber Cell enabled participants to identify systemic gaps and propose actionable recommendations. These sessions emphasized strengthening coordination between agencies, enhancing community-based interventions, and building more responsive protection mechanisms.
Members of Project STOP played a central role in facilitating the programme. The team included Smritikana Ghosh Paul (Executive Director), Poonam Chaudhary (Field Coordinator), and Paridhi Negi (Project Associate), who supported coordination, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge exchange throughout the event. The programme also saw active participation from experts and practitioners such as Prof. Ila Shah and Gopal Singh Chauhan, along with partners from Spardha including Kailash Rautela and Anita Lohani.
The discussions contributed to the development of a preliminary action framework aimed at improving prevention, protection, and response systems. With participation from over 90 stakeholders, the programme served as a significant step towards strengthening integrated, multi-stakeholder efforts to combat human trafficking and enhance child protection mechanisms in the region.
stopglobalmovement.com 