Gift Freedom to 500 Victims of Sex Trafficking

Save The Children India (STCI) is a nonprofit organization that envisions India as a Child-Friendly Nation. It is committed to preventing the exploitation and all other forms of discrimination against vulnerable women and children, and empowering them to lead a life of dignity, self-respect, and independence.

The ongoing Covid crisis in India is probably one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has witnessed in recent memory. The virus is on a rampage, spreading from urban centres to the rural hinterlands, and mutating at its will. Data on new cases and deaths is fuzzy at best, agencies are underprepared and overwhelmed, with oxygen supply and availability of hospital beds still in short supply, and more worryingly, no one can yet put a date on when this desperate situation will finally come to an end.

During the 1st wave of the pandemic that afflicted us last year, the Anti-Human Trafficking programme at STCI ensured that 72 survivors of trafficking received Direct Cash Transfers (twice) as well as Ration kits, to help sustain them during the pandemic. 55 survivors, who could not be reached with grocery kits, were provided with direct cash transfers as well. The team also worked hard on ensuring continued counselling services were provided to over 300 survivors, residing in shelter homes, through virtual platforms. Realizing the need to skill these survivors so that they can achieve financial independence, an Enterprise Development Training programme was conducted, for 2 weeks. The programme worked on teaching the attendees all about micro-enterprises, and the tools they wouldneed to ensure their enterprise stays afloat and is successful. After 2 weeks of training, counselling, orientation and brewing ideas, the girls were provided with seed money of up to Rs. 50,000, to start a venture of their choice. In addition to this, over 400 vulnerable girls from communities identified in Maharashtra underwent virtual skill training sessions, and post certification, they secured employment in a range of sectors such as BPO, E-Commerce and so on.

All through the 2nd wave as well, the Anti Human Trafficking vertical at STCI has continued reaching out to survivors of trafficking, supporting them with ration and hygiene kits, direct bank transfers, and keeping them engaged in a range of educational and vocational training activities, so that they can become financially independent soon, and support themselves and their families.

In the months to come, through generous support from donors like you, we wish to empower these young survivors of trafficking, and ensure their timely rehabilitation.