The Jackals around the corner!

The society in deep slumber while the dead tree trunk keeps a vigil.

The video had already started when I arrived. Three young, beautiful village girls clad in deshi sarees, had boarded a country boat. An unscrupulous Dallal was leading them out of the village. The girls seemed to have very little idea of where they were heading for. Lucrative jobs were offered to them at the garments' factory. They were undoubtedly being tricked. They had already started their journey towards hell! Soon two of the girls were transported to the brothels and another victim caught by the police was put into jail for six months without trail.

After six months she was rescued by lawyers of an association. She desperately tried to contact her parents and when she finally did, they disclaimed her. She was then a burden for the family and a victim of societal pressure, never to return to her near ones again.

The second film began with a scenery of a serene village life. The scattered village huts portrayed the picture of a poverty stricken area. Nearby, a middle-aged woman was seen busy stacking dry leaves she needed as fuel. Half a dozen children in scanty clothes moved about here and there. They were all hungry. Somewhere near about, the jackals in disguise lurked about.

The two teenaged daughters were helping their mother in the daily chores. The head of the family returned early from the field. He had an unknown guest with him. He was too kind to offer them food, money and shelter in exchange for the two grown up girls. He offered them a dream of their lifetime. Readily the family accepted the offer and the two girls set out for their journey. One of the victims was trafficked to an unknown destiny while the other was raped and somehow escaped and returned to her village. Their dreams are shattered forever too. They had no clue as to where they could ask for justice.

Every year millions of women & children are trafficked to unknown destinies throughout the world in a similar manner.

A two day Anti-Trafficking Video Film Festival was organized by ATSEC Bangladesh Chapter and The American Centre recently. ATSEC stands for Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children. It is an organization which has stood against one of the most inhuman activities against children, women and men. With a clear objective of preventing trafficking ASTEC started its journey in 1998. From its very inception they have started a massive campaign networking and mobilization against human trade.

At present 450 organisations are directly linked with ASTEC Bangladesh Chapter. To raise a nation wide mass awareness on trafficking, a massive campaign, posters, seminars, rally, courtyard meetings documentary films, TV and radio spots are being promoted by the organization.

The film festival would be the first and foremost initiative to play the role of vanguard on behalf of the partnering agencies and other stakeholders as well in making mass people aware of the human jackals who lurk in every nook and corner of the country waiting to offer a bait to the hungry and the most vulnerable group of people.