- The Ujjawala scheme is the Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
- The scheme is run by Ministry of Women and Child Development. It was launched in 2007.
- The scheme aims at preventing trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation, facilitate rescue of victims from the place of their exploitation and provide both immediate and long-term rehabilitation to the victims.
- The scheme also seeks to facilitate reintegration of the victims into the family and society at large.
- Further the scheme also seeks to facilitate repatriation of cross-border victims to their country of origin.
- The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (amended in 1986) is the primary legislation for the prevention of human trafficking and sexual exploitation for women and girls. Further, Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines trafficking and penalizes offenders.
- Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 was passed in Lok Sabha in 2018. It creates a law for investigation of all types of trafficking, and rescue, protection and rehabilitation of trafficked victims.
- Article 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking in human beings and forms of forced labour.
