Education as a protective shield: advancing the fight against child trafficking

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we want to raise our voices about a reality we cannot ignore: child trafficking has tripled in the last 15 years. According to United Nations data, children now represent 38% of all identified victims worldwide, a statistic that challenges us as a society and compels us to act with greater determination.

An alrming reality that we must face

The numbers tell us about a silent but devastating crisis, as this is a clearly under-detected crime. Girls make up 22% of all trafficking victims, primarily sexually exploited, while boys represent 16% of the total and are victims of labor exploitation, forced begging, and organized crime.

But behind these figures are faces, stories, and shattered dreams. These are children who, instead of playing or learning, are trapped in networks of exploitation that violate their most fundamental rights.

Who’s at risk? Vulnerability knows no borders

Minors living in poverty and social exclusion are especially vulnerable, but it is crucial to understand that child trafficking does not discriminate and goes beyond social exclusion. Wars, natural disasters, family economic problems, family disfunction and a lack of child protection create the perfect environment for traffickers to operate.

Furthermore, in the digital age, social media has opened new doors for recruitment, expanding the reach of those who exploit children. Online manipulation techniques allow traffickers to target children from any socioeconomic background, making prevention an even greater challenge.

In the communities where Mumbai Smiles works, many of these conditions of vulnerability are structurally present, making it essential to implement prevention strategies that protect children from an early age.

Our response: Education as a protection tool

At Mumbai Smiles, we firmly believe that education is one of the most powerful tools against child trafficking. Furthermore, India is one of the countries with the highest number of cases, according to the UN. Therefore, this academic year, our educational work in Mumbai includes:

• 5 kindergarten where 125 children between the ages of 2 and 6 have access to non-compulsory preschool education
• Scholarships and study material for 86 boys and girls who are enrolled in compulsory or higher education

¿Why education is very important?

Cuando garantizamos el acceso a la educación desde la primera infancia, estamos:

Creating real future opportunitites: Education opens doors and broadens horizons, offering legitimate alternatives to exploitation.

Providing secure space: Schools and educational centers are protected environments where minors are under supervision and care.

Strengthening their comprehensive development: Good nutrition and healthcare, combined with education, create the foundation for healthy growth.

Promoting your emotional well-being: Happy children, who grow up in loving and stimulating environments, have a greater capacity to structure their own life plans.

Comprehensive work: beyond the classroom

Our strategy is not limited to formal education. Working with families and communities is essential to creating strong protection networks. Through awareness-raising and family support, we strengthen communities’ capacity to protect their children in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

We also work to free families who have suffered from trafficking from stigma, because we know that recovery requires not only investing in the future, but also healing the wounds of the past.

A commitment that demands everything

On this World Day Against Trafficking in Children, we reaffirm our commitment to the most vulnerable children. Every child whose right to education is guaranteed reduces their chances of falling into trafficking networks. It’s a more protected life, a story that can be written differently.

But to confront this global problem, we need coordinated responses that act at all stages: prevention, identification and redress, when the first hasn’t arrived in time or hasn’t been effective. The fight against child trafficking concerns us all as a society.

Join our mission

If you believe, like us, that every child deserves to grow up free, safe and with opportunities, your support can make a difference. Because together we can build a world where childhood is protected and where education is truly the shield every child deserves.

Child trafficking is a reality we must change. Education is the way forward. Are you joining this fight?