TW: Sexual assault
Pallabi Ghosh, 32, proudly says that she has a home in every city and village in India. Her work has taken her places and she is on the road 25 days a month. Born in Lumding, Assam, Pallabi speaks a number of languages and takes pride in being able to connect with people very easily. She says trust and empathy are essential to make a breakthrough in her line of work.
For the last 12 years, Pallabi has been working to prevent women and child trafficking in India. She started her own organisation – Impact and Dialogue Foundation in 2020 and has since focused on prevention and rehabilitation for crimes against women and children. She has rescued around 10,000 children so far and wants to continue to do the good work.
In a heart-to-heart with Donatekart, Pallabi talks about work, her myriad experiences, and what she loves to do in her free time.
What does a normal workday look like for you?
I am an early riser. I wake up at 530 AM and often do some cooking, I find it really therapeutic. Then I check my emails and on most days, I go to schools and railway stations to spread awareness about trafficking and related issues. I talk to students, share my experiences and make them aware of the legal framework that comes to aid with kidnapping and trafficking cases. I also talk with station masters, coolies, and parcel boys in the railway stations – you never know who has some information that can come in handy!
These sessions, is it both for young boys and girls? How do you get across to the boys?
It is equally important to talk to young boys as it is to young girls. Female survivors of sexual assaults often end up being pregnant and that makes it very difficult to hide the incident. But for boys, it’s very different. They’re growing up in a society where they’re told ‘mard ko dard nehi hota’ – ‘real men don’t cry’ and so they end up hiding instances of rape and other forms of sexual exploitation. This needs to change and it can only happen through dialogue.
Have you ever felt unsafe while at work?
I used to be! But no longer now. I have been threatened with an open dagger in the broad daylight, I have contracted COVID 5 times, and I have travelled to remote areas of India and had no choice but to drink contaminated water. Yet, I survived and I want to continue this work. This is my passion.
What, according to you, is the root cause of women and child trafficking in India?
If I had to pinpoint one cause it would be poverty. My work has taken me to places in India where the people are ultra-poor. They boil wild leaves with rice and drink that water. I have come across cases where mothers end up selling their daughters to send them away from the family members who were sexually exploiting them and get some money in exchange that can feed the family. Poverty, lack of education and awareness, domestic violence – it’s all connected. The condition is dire and there is still a long way to go.
How important is the rehabilitation of the survivors after a rescue operation?
I’d say, very. It is very important these survivors have access to means that can give them financial independence. Besides counselling and a safe place to stay, they also need to know that they’re capable of taking care of themselves. I have seen the girls change in a matter of a few weeks once they start earning money after learning to stitch or studying to become a doctor. Seeing them so confident makes me so happy.
How can people like us support this cause?
I think any kind of support is helpful. Be it financial or otherwise, it does make a difference. With proper networking and awareness, many more people will know about the hard reality and do their bit to stop this menace.
How do you unwind after a tiring day?
I love taking long walks and going on treks. But my biggest stressbuster probably is watching dog videos on social media – the serotonin boost just makes my day!
Pallabi is a true example of grit and determination and how one woman can change the world if she puts her mind to it. All those who questioned her choice of work are now applauding the impact she is creating each day. If you liked reading this head over to our blog section and our Instagram page for more such heartfelt stories. If you know of others who’re doing such commendable jobs, let us know as well!
