101 East

India’s Stolen Youth

101 East investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in child trafficking across India.

In India, the trafficking of children is on the rise.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left millions jobless, families destitute and many children without parents. It is a perfect hunting ground for human traffickers to exploit.

But activist groups are working to track down the people-smuggling networks, raiding workplaces and rescuing young lives from bonded labour.

101 East investigates the new wave of child trafficking in India and the efforts to safeguard vulnerable children.