India Country Report - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Sthree believes that there needs to be a “Mix & Match” system in alternative
livelihoods. This has led to many success stories of the survivor’s reintegration
into mainstream society. They have spread out into multiple
ventures such as, employment with the corporate houses, micro-credit for
small loans like petty shops, vegetable vending, individuals rearing sheep
or buffaloes, tiffin centres, provision stores, fancy shops/stores, income
through crafts and even working as “security checking” for women at a
Corporate BPO in Bangalore city, ... so many varied jobs and businesses,
following the new age mantra of “Each to his/her own” spelling a final
coming to terms with their own lives, poised for a worthy future.
Sthree was founded
in the year 2000 and
has been a pioneering
force in grassroots
interventions in the
districts of Anantapur
and Kadapa, in the State
of Andhra Pradesh in
South <strong>India</strong>.
been re-integrated with their families at the village level. They have been
strengthened through the formation of SHGs. Sthree has 53 such SHGs in the
districts that it works in and many of who have availed Government institutional
loans for various economic activities. The NGO, though based in Anantapur,
has one branch office in Kadapa district as well for easy access for the restored
survivors. It runs programmes for strengthening the capacity of such victims and
community members through trainings, ensures options for alternative livelihood
measures and runs a successful handicraft manufacturing unit. Sthree has
trained 60 girls in fashion technology/garment construction in partnership with
the ace National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Ministry of Textiles.
Sthree 25 had also pioneered micro-enterprises in partnership with Governments
and international donors.
Vimochana Development Society
Vimochana 26 , a Karnataka based organization, functions in three major thematic
areas: (i) education for mainstreaming; (ii) socio-economic development
initiatives; and (iii) people’s mobilization and struggle for justice. Vimochana
has pioneered in protecting children of women in prostitution from becoming
second generation victims. The organization uses education as a key tool in
mainstreaming children of women in prostitution and victims of trafficking into
the society. Computer education and other livelihood education programmes are
its key focus. Employment opportunity generation is another key strategy that
the organization focuses upon for the socialization of rescued survivors and
children of ‘Devadasi’ women.
Youth Participation and Partnership Initiatives
The Youth Partnership Project (YPP) for child survivors of commercial sexual
exploitation in South Asia is a unique initiative that endeavours to have a
positive psychosocial impact and improve the lives of affected children in <strong>India</strong>,
Bangladesh and Nepal. Young survivors of trafficking and commercial sexual
exploitation and at-risk youth living in red light districts, on the street or in
other dangerous places, such as railway platforms, are the key participants
in this Project. Through peer support programmes, community awareness
25 Please visit www.sthreeindia.org for more information about the organization
26 For more information about the organization, please visit www.vimochana.org
64 <strong>India</strong> <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Report</strong>