Minor girl rescued ~ Bridal Slaves Rescue & Restore campaign

EMPOWER PEOPLE is an NGO in India working to protect female victims of violence and mitigate post-violence trauma. EMPOWER PEOPLE is one of the pioneer organizations focusing on the issue of human trafficking for the purpose of forced marriage.

What is also called "bride trafficking" affects a yet unknown number of girls, particularly from poor backgrounds, who are deceived and trafficked to be sold as brides. According to information gathered by EMPOWER PEOPLE, a middleman seeks an agreement on an arranged marriage with the family of the girls. Later those girls are transferred to another places where there is a high demand of brides, like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan where they are known as "Paro" or "Molki" (literally perched woman).

The main focus of EMPOWER PEOPLE lies on awareness raising and sensitization trainings for law enforcement agencies. The organization is also offering direct victim support and assistance to women vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.

EMPOWER PEOPLE is currently developing projects of community engagement and rehabilitation of trafficking victims in both source and destination areas in seven states of India.

Visit www.empowerpeople.org.in

Minor girl rescued

Azamgarh, May 7 (PTI) A minor girl who was allegedly enticed from Punjab's Ludhiana town by a youth with promise of marriage was today recovered from Bardah area here, police said. According to an FIR lodged by the girl's father, 25-year- old Raju Ram -- a native of Jaunpur district in Uttar Pradesh -- enticed the 17-year-old girl on April 28. Acting on the complaint, a team of Punjab Police carried out a raid in Bardah area and recovered the girl along with the youth, who was arrested and later produced before the CJM court for transit remand, they said.