Trafficking in women and children is a modern form of slavery that violates human dignity and worth. It is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon interwoven with sex tourism, labor migration, forced marriages, bonded labor and other similar practices. It is the most depraved from of international organized crime. The United Nations estimates that about 4 million people are trafficked each year resulting in $ 7 billion in profits to criminal groups. In this heinous trade largest numbers of victims are from Asia. Approximately 150,000 women and children are trafficked each year from South Asia. India is both, transit point and destination in this trade. 13 women and girls are trafficked from Bangladesh to India every day and Nepal is another big source for trafficking.

Recognizing the severity of the challenge, MF took up this cause and launched anti-human trafficking initiative last year. Three projects have been launched under this initiative: Prevention of Girl Child Marriages in Marathwada (People's Institute for Rural Development, Ahmedpur), Sparrows (Apane Aap, Mumbai), and Rural Outreach program for preventing and combating trafficking of women and children in Amaravati district (Save the Children, Mumbai).

MF would like to continue supporting the projects launched during 2005 and expand its support to other similar projects. Funds needed to complete the three projects launched in 2005: $ 47,500.