Emergence of ILFAT
The Genesis
Survivors of human trafficking have often experienced to have been treated as helpless, hapless victims of crime. Their opinions have always been ignored by the society as a whole. Survivor collectives such as Bandhan Mukti, Utthan and Bijoyini from West Bengal and Vimukthi from Andhra Pradesh who have been associated with the Leadership Next programme realised that their voice has never reached the mainstream. Policies and schemes for the survivors have been made without consulting them and understanding their life experiences. They felt that they have been silenced, not heard or consulted as if their opinions do not matter, and their potential for leadership has been suppressed.
In 2018, these four collectives converged in Kolkata for a brainstorming session to analyse why the survivors of human trafficking are being ignored, despite the fact they have the lived experience of being trafficked, and they know how it happens and what are the loopholes in the existing anti-trafficking response mechanism.
This is an overwhelming feeling which they thought must be prevalent across the country, and if that is so there is a need to change this narrative. Therefore, they decided to reach out to different collectives from other states. Following positive response from a number of collectives from different states, they convened another meeting where they decided to set up a national level platform, which will unite their voices that would reach the policy makers, implementers, media and all other stakeholders in the anti-trafficking eco-system.
Formation of ILFAT
In November 2019, more than 2500 survivors of various forms of human trafficking from different parts of the country formally came together and formed the Integrated Leadership Forum Against Trafficking with a shared vision that from those who have struggled through the pain of trafficking, will arise a new generation of leaders who stand for justice and empowerment.
Currently, 12 survivor collectives from across 7 states of India have been associated with ILFAT with a membership of more than 4000 survivors of human trafficking who are our peers and colleagues who want to bring in positive changes in this anti-human trafficking eco-system.
Over the years, the forum has been acting as a catalyst and convener for sharing expertise, insights and evidences relevant to human trafficking in India. ILFAT has been engaging in policy and law consultation processes as well as with the media to share their findings and experiences in order to strengthen the existing system.
Achievements and Recognitions
2023
1. Won Gold in “Public Affairs” and a Silver in “Non-Profit” categories at the 2023 PR India Awards in October.
2. Won Gold in the category of "Public Affairs/Govt Relations" at the 2023 SABRE South Asia Awards in August.
3. ILFAT was invited to collaborate with the Journalism Centre on Global Trafficking for a reporting skill session to sensitize the journalists on how to engage with survivors in July
4. Won 2 awards at PRCA Gold Standard Awards 2023 under the categories of "Government Relations" and "NGO Engagement" in July.
5. Conducted a webinar in collaboration with the Civil20 GEWE Working Group and Chase India on implementation of Community Based Rehabilitation in July.
6. ILFAT was invited to participate in the discussions at Civil20 Summit for the Gender Equality and Disability Working Group and our recommendations were shortlisted for inclusion in the C20 Policy Pack in April
7. ILFAT General Secretary Sunita Kar participated as a speaker in the National Awareness Programme on ‘Anti-Human Trafficking’ that was organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the Jammu and Kashmir State Govt in April.
2022
1. ILFAT was awarded with the Idea Prize 2022 by Agami Foundation for being an initiative that could innovatively transform systems of law and justice in December
2. ILFAT General Secretary Sunita Kar participated as a speaker at the Lokmat Women Summit in Nagpur on the theme of “Udne Ki Asha” with influential female voices such as Zakia Soman, actor Rasika Dugal, Ketaki Jani and Sanjana Sanghi.
3. ILFAT leader Mehrunnisa was invited as a Chief Guest at a National Convening organized by FXB Suraksha and The Asia Foundation to launch a report on “Optimizing Screening and Support Services for Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking in Person Victims” in April.
4. ILFAT leaders Piu Mondal, Sunita Kar and Khemlal Khaterji spoke at the SEWA CHETNA Conference on Human Exploitation and Trafficking for National Awareness in Delhi in March.
2021
1. ILFAT leaders participated in the Kalinga Fellowship, a systems’ change societal leadership platform which aims to facilitate breakthroughs in thinking and strategy on gender equality. Since then, 30+ ILFAT leaders have participated in the Fellowship as thought leaders in December
2. ILFAT leaders Rahima Khan and Ashish Kumar led a Panel Discussion on Human Trafficking organized by the Indiranagar (Bangalore) chapter of the Rotary Club in October.
3. ILFAT participated in the Survivor Alliance World Congress to discuss barriers to survivor leadership and develop viable solutions in July.
4 ILFAT became the first ever survivor-led forum to be included on the Niti Aayog Sub-Committee on Human Trafficking and Bonded Labour in August
5. Recognised as contributors to the 230th Report on Atrocities and Crimes against Women & Children submitted to the Parliament of India in March.