Preventing Inter-Generational Prostitution

Grassroots Work- Delhi

January 2017

Ceramic Workshop

Location- Community, Dharampura

Participants- 5 women and 4 Girls

Duration-  2 weeks

Details-  The ceramic workshop was organised in the community, where women and girls in prostitution and at risk of high prostitution participated in this two week training.

The workshop was conducted regularly from 11 am till 4: 30 pm.

Ms Anupama Nagaraj from New York taught our women and girls how to use the clay to make beautiful art pieces. She also guided them on the usage of various ceramic tools. This workshop was organised as art therapy and an important livelihood skill.

The women and girls initially were little hesitant to dirty their hands in the clay. But once they started to work on clay with their hands they started enjoying. They learnt how much moisture should the clay have so as the art pieces do not break down.

Manshi who belongs to sapera caste (snake charmers) have three children. She used to complete all her household chores , prepare lunch for the family and would quickly reach to the terrace where the workshop took place. She would reach and start to kneed the clay using sufficient water in order to make sustainable ceramic items.

Not only Manshi, but in fact all other participants seemed very enthusiastic about this workshop. 

After the ceramic items were ready in the community, Ms Anupama  fired and glazed it at one of the clay company. And soon the art pieces were ready to be decorated anywhere from house to school to office.

During the World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls, organised by Apne Aap and CAP International, the ceramic items were put on exhibition which attracted many national and international people from many countries.

Focus Areas

v  Art Therapy

v  Livelihood Skill

v  Confidence Building

v  Creativity

v  Peace Culture

Story Telling Workshop

Location-  Community, Dharampura

Participants- 55 Children

Details-  The story telling workshop was organised for the children in community after the school hours. The aim was to enhance the creativity and thinking process among children

The workshop was taken by Ms Richa Rudola who is a documentary producer and works for American Express and Nivedita who too works for an American Company as a software enggineer.

The workshop was a 3 hours session where Richa and Nivedita shared many inspiring stories with the children in community.

Ms Richa Rudola also bought two books – Little Humans of New York and one story book. These books carried multiple pictures of small children, talking about their dreams and aspirations. Also,their achievements. The books were enjoyed by all the children and we observed a motivation in them to dream and achieve it.

Richa also shared her daily routine with the children, encouraging them to read.

As the session was coming to an end, the kids were ready with their own short story which was read out by the elder girl.  

 .

Focus Areas :                                                    

v  Reading

v  Team Work

v  Thinking Process

v  Motivation

v  Confidence

v  Motivation

Opportunities On Way

Location- India International Centre, New Delhi

Participants- 2 women, a Girl and a Boy

Details-  Apne Aap Women Worldwide in collaboration with CAP International organised a World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls from 29- 31 Jan 2017 at the India International Centre. This World Congress recorded the presence of Hollywood actress Ashley Judd, many survivors, trade unionist, MPs, Ngo representatives and youth activists.

This world congress was attended by 4 people from Delhi field area, two women from Perna Caste who are into inter-generational prostitution, a girl from Sapera caste who is at high risk of prostitution and a boy from sapera caste who plays drums at weddings.

On the first day, Sapera boy who continue his caste based occupation and earns livelihood by snake charming or playing drums at the wedding also performed. The world congress started with the drum being played by the boy. This opportunity not only represented him and his community on the global platform, but also boosted his confidence.

The women who heard the survivors story in this conference were moved at their courage to come forward and speak. The two women are trapped into inter-generational prostitution and unfortunately are not able to come out of it.

The women who heard the survivors were encouraged a lot. Later, on of them asked us “Wasn’t Fatima Khatoon scared of the society or being killed when she started to fight against the traffickers?”

Fatima Khatoon is a survivor and works at Apne Aap centre in Bihar. She belongs to Nat community who prostitute their own daughters. Fatima Khatoon not only fought with her own traffickers but also saved many girls from being trafficked. She had also stood in elections to which she says laughing “ I knew I won’t win because no men will vote for me”. She also said, “People call me a terrorist” .

While speaking for the last girl at World Congress, Fatima sadly says “ They (men) extend their hands but not to protect us...........” and she goes silent.

Attending the world congress filled our women and girl with confidence to fight for their rights. They were motivated to speak for wrong being done not only to them but also for others around them. Our young sapera boy too understood this important issue while attending the world congress.

Focus Area :

v  Learning

v  Confidence

v  Motivation

v  Exposure

Woman from Sapera Caste starts Education Again

Location-  Community, Dharampura

Details- Deepmala is a 24 year old female who belongs to Sapera caste.

Deepmala wanted to study but girls in this community do not go to school instead are expected to do all household chores and support her father or husband.

She was married at very early age despite her resistance. She was married and started living with her husband at her in-laws house. After few years, at the time of her second pregnancy, her husband left her and she was forced to return to her mother’s house back.

While she was living with her husband, Deepmala used to see young girls going to school on the streets and wished if she could again go to school again.

When she returned to her mother’s house after separation, she was in highly depressed condition, not able to understand how to make a living. She needed to earn, not only for herself  but also for her children, one who is already there and the other who was supposed to come soon. She has studied till 10^th Standard before marriage. But she knew nobody would give her job with the little education.

When she shared her problems related to livelihood with apne aap team, they started to explore earning options for Deepmala and other women in the community. In few months, apne aap was able to provide livelihood linkages in the community which benefitted many women and girls. Deepmala earns now and is well able to support her children in a better manner.  

With the livelihood, Deepmala had confidence in herself. While sitting one day with apne aap staff member, Deepmala shared her dream to study, apne aap was glad to hear this news and immediately enrolled her for 12^th standard through distance education.

Reecently, when apne aap team  visited to meet her, she hugged and happily said “Didi, I have received my books. I will study all subjects on my own but you have to teach me English. I am weak at this subject.”

Deepmala has been an inspiration for other girls and women in the community who feels that women have no life after she gets married. There is no need for her to gain education and life skills. In the end, she just have to keep her husband, in-laws and children happy. Deepmala has changed the perspective of many people by being a role model.

Focus Areas:

v  Education

v  Life skills/Livelihood

v  Inspiration

v  Confidence

February 2017

Open Mike Session by Prostitution survivors, Ngo Representatives and Youth Activists

Location- MCD Primary school, Old Roshanpura

Participants- 100 Girls

Classes- 5^th Standard

Details- During the World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls, we had many survivors, legislators, civil society representatives, activists, lawyers, MPs and youth activists from various countries.

On the first day after the world congress, apne aap had organised two days field trip. On the first day, a group of survivors, NGO representatives and youth activists visited apne aap field in Najafgarh.

We took the group to our adopted primary level school where they interacted with around 100 girls from 5^th grade.

The group talked to them on various issues like education, marriage, child rights etc.

Shanie Roy, a young survivor of prostitution and activist spoke about worker rights to the young girls.

Namrata Sharma, journalist by profession, talked to the girls on the importance of education, encouraging them to study. She said “As a child, your right is to study”. She encouraged young girls to dream and fulfil that dream through their hard work.

Raphaelle Remy, a youth activist, indulged in a healthy conversation with the little girls telling them importance of being together and standing for their rights.

The visiting group was provided with a small token of appreciation, made by apne aap girls. The girls had made paper bag, greeting card, snail and a pair of slippers for all the guests, which was given to the group by the school principal.

Apne aap team, next, took the group to the residential boarding school, where four girls from Perna and Sapera study. These girls were at the verge of getting trafficked and that time, apne aap immediately enrolled the girls to the residential school. The girls study and live there. They come to the community only for festivals or winter/summer break.

The group was glad to see the facilities and quality of education provided to these young girls. The girls were seen very comfortable while interacting with the group in English and French. Also, the girls showed them their classrooms and hostel rooms.

This visit filled our girls with immense confidence. They were highly motivated after meeting with the survivors, youth activists and NGO representatives.

 Focus Areas :

v  Confidence

v  Exposure

v  Learning

v  Motivation

Open Mike Session by MPs and NGO Representatives

Location- MCD Primary school, Old Roshanpura

Participants- 150 Girls and 15 women

Details-  During the World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls, we had many legislators and trade unionist too.

On the second day of field trip, we took French MP Catherine Coutelle, Indian MP Meenakshi Natarjan, Apne Aap Founder Ruchira Gupta, Apne Aap Director Tinku Khanna, Doctor Imogen, CAP International team, Apne Aap team and other NGO representatives to our field in Najafgarh area.

Firstly, we took the group of 17 people to the primary level school where the group was welcomed in Indian Traditional way with rangoli, red colour on forehead and flowers by the girls, principal and teachers.

The visiting group interacted with the young girls who were indulged in colours during their art session. Few people also got their hands coloured by the girls during this healthy interaction.

Next, the group visited to the children who were sitting quietly for the open mike session to start. The group of children greeted the visiting group and sang national song- Vande Mataram. After the national song, apne aap founder Ruchira Gupta started the open mike session and introduced MPs and other representative.

Ruchira Gupta while introducing French MP Catherine Coutelle and Indian MP Meenakshi Natarajan, asked young girls if anyone wants to be MP, to which only two girls raised their hands. The reason was that the girls could not imagine themselves holding such a powerful position in future. Ruchira encouraged and told them to dream and said “You too can be MP. You too can take decisions. You too can go to Parliament. Being a girl does not mean, you can’t be a minister. You can become President, Prime Minister, doctor, lawyer, anyone. Just you have to study”.

Few girls sang songs dedicated to daughters, other few danced. The teachers too sang a bhajan for the group.

Ms. Catherine and Ms. Natarajan talked on the importance of education. They asked what the young girls would like to become in future and what are they doing to achieve that dream.

Our school principal, Shakuntla ji, provided a small of token of appreciation to the group made by apne aap girls, carrying handmade paper bags, greeting card, snail and a pair of Gandhi ji slippers.

Seeing the slippers, Ruchira also talked about Gandhi ji and his ideas with the girls.

Secondly, we took the group to the community where our community leader was waiting. Our community leader met everyone and started to show them community. She also took the group to her house where Ruchira informed the group how actively Rita( name changed) fought with the Panchayat to save her daughter from being prostituted. Rita’s daughter was forced by her in-laws to carry out their caste based occupation of prostitution. It was the first time when a male dominated Panchayat gave their decision in favour of a female. Ruchira talked about Rita’s courage and how she is inspiring other women in community to fight against this tradition of inter-generational prostitution.

The visiting group also interacted with the other women and girls from Perna and Sapera in the community.

Focus Areas:

v  Learning

v&nb

Grassroots Work- Delhi

October 2016

International Day of Girl child

Location- MCD Primary School, Old Roshanpura

Participants- 70 Girls

Classes-  4^th  and 5^th standard

Details- To mark this day in our calendar, we handed out white sheets to each group ( every group consisted of 8-10 girls ) along with the water colours. We asked them to draw and colour the way they want, but each girl need to make her own self on the sheet provided to every group.

The girls were not provided with paint brush, encouraging them to use their fingers and hands. The little girls initially afraid to spoil their hands with colours ,started to paint with joy, expressing their innocence on hands as well as sheets . All the sheets were filled with images of kites, flowers, female figure, hand impression, animals , books etc.

Next, once each group completed their art works, we asked if they are proud to being a girl. To which, all children replied yes ,waving hands in the air and hugged each other.

On International Day of Girl Child, some of girls  also shared future dreams. Tanya, from a singhi caste expressed her desire to become a doctor.

Later, Apne Aap encouraged small girls to help and motivate each other in academics and other activities. So, every girl could grow into wonderful bright women, who would make societies and build nation. Without foundation, a wall can’t be build. In a similar manner, every girl need to be provided with right education and opportunities, so that she could make her own self and coming generations too.

Focus Areas

v  Team Work

v  Confidence Building

v  Creativity

v  Peace Culture

v  Motivation

Birth Anniversary of  Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Location-  MCD Primary School, Old Roshanpura

Participants- 100 Girls

Classes- 5^th Standard

Details-  Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam said “ You have to dream before your dreams can come true ”. Keeping his words of wisdom in mind, Apne Aap celebrated birth anniversary of Dr. Kalam in the school. The day was celebrated as reading day for the children.

We need them to give opportunities. And Also, the dreams. The  small children  need to be inspired .  They need mentor, to guide them and to acknowledge the right work done and right direction for the wrong done.

On the day, Apne Aap members together with children read many chapters and poems from the textbooks provided to the students from the school. The favourite poem which was based on “Teamwork” was recited 7-8 times by everyone along with the performance.

Without Balloons and sweets, birthday is incomplete. After reading chapters and recitation of poems, children came forward and started plumping balloons while enjoying candies distributed by Apne Aap.

Focus Areas :

v  Reading

v  Team Work

v  Future Dreams

v  Confidence

Dussehra Celebration

Location- Community, Dharampura

Participants- 120 Children ( Including boys and girls)

Details-  Dussehra is a festival that marks the “ Victory of good over Evil “ and is celebrated in entire country with a lot of fervour.

 In the community, where the custom of inter- generational prostitution  is persistent. A community where a girl is aware of her “responsibilities” put on her because she is born in Perna, a de-notified tribe or ex- criminal tribe as they are popularly known.

Sapera, who earn livelihood by snake shows or monkey shows which is banned in India. Now, left with the only option to survive, to play drums at the weddings and other functions, which is also seasonal.

Singhi, who sell toys , pick rags, clean ears and mend shoes. These are the only options available to them to put food in the stomach.

In this community:  child labour, child marriage, unemployment, poverty , lack of education, lack of opportunities  etc are at peak.

Apne Aap organised few games for the children in community, where one of our staff member acted like a Raavan.

The first game organised was “Lemon Spoon Race”. In this Race, children between the age group 9- 15 years participated.

The top three winners were presented with small gift packets, consisting of stationary and eatables.

 The second game organised was “Frog Race” where children between the age group 7-12 years participated.

The winners were presented with small gifts, consisting of stationary and eatables.

Focus Area :

v  To end caste discrimination

v  Confidence Building

Diwali Celebration

Location-  Community, Dharampura

Participants-  70 children (Including girls and boys) and 12 Women

Details-  In India, Diwali is considered a festival of lights, sweets, rangoli and prayer. Festivals always play an important role to bring people together of different religions and different cultures  across the globe.

The  festivals help end discrimination and raise voice through different customs.

.

Apne Aap had organised a rangoli making program to celebrate diwali in the community. The children were divided into 2 groups so that everyone could participate

The first group of children making their rangoli with powder colours, diyas, and flowers. There was no caste discrimination. Children from all three caste and age participated.

The second group of children working on the rangoli with colours, diyas and flowers. This rangoli shows that art is not only for females, boys too can make beautiful rangoli.

The community women spent some time together on the occasion of diwali. The mothers were encouraging all children to make beautiful rangolis giving small ideas in between.

Focus Areas:

v  To end caste Discrimination

v  Confidence Building

v  Creativity

November 2016

Leaf Painting

Location- MCD Primary school, Old Roshanpura

Participants- 70 Girls

Classes- 5^th Standard

Details-  Apne Aap conducted leaf painting workshop at the school. In the workshop, all the children were provided with green peepal leaf and were asked to design it.

Here, instead of paint brush, Apne Aap provided match sticks. The aim was to design leaf with a match stick.

Art is an important part to express oneself.

According to a scientific study;  art increases empathy, tolerance and feelings of love. It is also believed that art lessons make children better students of life.

 Art has also been used since decades to express patriotism and justice. Apne Aap regards art as of the medium to end sexual violence against women and girls .

The girls made backgrounds on leaf, using different colours with their hands. Golden, blue, red, black were few colours.

Suhana, age 9 belongs to Perna. Apne Aap helps provide her with art and craft workshops in school. So that, she do not drop out like other girls of her community. The girls need to more opportunities to regain control over their lives. 

Focus Areas :

v  Creativity

v  Confidence

Robotics Workshop

Location- Community, Dharampura

Participants- 4 Girls

Name- Sunaina, Shivani, Balma, Tanya

Details- Apne Aap enrolled 4 girls from the community for Lego Robotics workshop sessions.

All the four girls study at government run nearby school. The girls are from Perna, Sapera and Singhi Caste.

The girls travel from Najafgarh to Nehru Place to attend the classes after school hours. The time distance is around 1.5 -2 hours for one side.

This workshop not only teach them robotics, but curiosity and interest in science was also observed among these girls.

The workshop also serves as exposure for the girls from this community. These kind of workshops provide the girls with the opportunity to interact with people outside their own caste and community.

Focus Areas:

v  Learning

v  Exposure

v  Confidence

Birthday Celebration of Science Graduate Student

Location- Community, Dharampura

Participants- 70 children (including boys and girls) , 20 women and 5 men

Details- The young science graduate, Rajat Taneja, Celebrated his 25^th Birthday at the community.

Apne Aap always tries take more people to community in Najafgarh. It not only give community people  chance to interact with people outside the community, but also give inspiration to children to study hard and achieve something in life.

The young boy celebrated his birthday was something very new in the community. Community people liked it very much. Many children shared their dreams and Rajat showed them the way, i.e, education.

The community children sang their favourite Bollywood songs and few did dance on the day. Rajat, being a science graduate and planning his career into education line interacted with the students in holistic way, answering all education related questions of mothers and children in community.

Sapera Caste Man Prepares for Government Exam

Location- Dharampura

Details- Virender, 26 year old man started to prepare for government exam. After much encouragement , he completed his 12^th standard and filled a form for SBI Clerical exam.

Virender is married and have three children. Apne Aap has helped him and his family to acquire  the government Ids. He is able to receive all the benefits through the caste certificates and other documents which he was not able to enjoy earlier.

December 2016

Self-Defense Training

Location- MCD Primary School, Old Roshanpura

Participants- 100 Girls, 10 teachers and school Principal

Classes- 5^th Standard

Details- Apne Aap believes that girls need to be self- empowered in every manner. She should know how to safeguard her own self. Thus, we keep organising self- defense training after every 3 months.

In the self- defense training, Mr.Ajay along with his team visited the MCD Primary school to share his knowledge with the girls.

He shared with them various  “do and don’t” while travelling or when out of home. For instance, Mr. Ajay said “When you are travelling in metro with family, and you miss the metro. Do not panic. Go to ticket counter or customer care and inform them. They will help you contact with the family”.

In the next session, girls were taught the simple hand techniques related to defense.

Mr. Ajay, along  with his team member showed Apne Aap girls self- defense techniques. What if someone holds you on neck or if someone tries to get hold with hair? He showed what to do in this situation to the girls and teachers

The training session was concluded with the information regarding “Good Touch and Bad Touch”.

Ms. Shakuntla, School Principal also added few real life examples in the conclusion.

Focus Area :

v  Self- Defense

v  Knowledge

v  Confidence

Visit of Students Opposing Slavery group

Location- MCD Primary School, Old Roshanpura and Community, Dharampura

Participants- 100 Girls

Classes- 5^th Standard

Details-  StudentsOpposing Slavery (SOS) is an award-winning youth education program for students dedicated to continuing Lincoln’s fight for freedom by raising awareness about modern slavery within a high-risk population – teenagers.

Started in 2012 by four teenagers who believed that they had a responsibility to do what they could to end slavery in their time, SOS has flourished under the auspices of President Lincoln’s Cottage. Today, SOS is a growing network of young abolitionists from around Washington, D.C., the nation, and the world who are working together to end slavery.

SOS member interacted with school girls and shared her everyday routine and lifestyle . The girls were enthusiastic  to know more about United States.

Priya , age 13 , wants to travel  US . She shared her dream with SOS.

 Apne Aap girls sang national song Vande Mataram for the visiting group.

SOS member shared the importance of education and encouraged girls to study hard to fulfil their dreams.

 SOS Team interacted with Principal, Ms. Shakuntla and teachers of MCD Primary School.

The exchange of ideas in education system was shared between the two.

SOS Team interacted in community with the women.

Aarti, from Sapera caste, showed pictures of her daughter Prachi, who studies in Shanti Gyan International School with the help of Apne Aap.

Focus Areas:

v  Exposure

v  Exchange of knowledge

v  Exchange of Ideas

v  Confidence

v  Motivation

Robotics Workshop Sessions

Location- Community, Dharampura

Participants- 4 children

Name- Priyanka, Neha, Suhana and Aryan