Preventing Prostitution post Covid

Meena (name changed) was just 15 when the pandemic hit, living in the red-light area of Forbesganj, Bihar. For two years, her school was closed, and her mother, a daily laborer, lost her income. The lockdown brought hunger, anxiety, and the looming threat of trafficking into their lives.

But when our community classrooms reopened, Meena found hope. She caught up on her studies and gained confidence through our kung fu classes. Today, Meena is back in school, dreaming of becoming a teacher. Her story is one of resilience, shared by many others across our project areas.

Since the project began in late 2020, we have successfully re-enrolled 750 girls in school across Forbesganj, Najafgarh in Delhi, Nizamuddin Basti in Delhi, Kolkata, and the Sundarbans in Bengal.

In the last three months alone, we’ve helped over 150 girls get back on track with their education. Additionally, our food banks have distributed essential supplies to more than 7,500 women and their families since the project’s inception, ensuring that hunger doesn’t drive them further into vulnerability.

Our livelihood support programs have also made a lasting impact. To date, over 1,000 women have received small loans to start businesses, while 3,000 women have participated in skill-building workshops, with many now earning a stable income. These efforts are empowering them to rebuild their lives and ensure their children stay in school.

As we move forward, we remain committed to reaching our goal of helping 800 girls return to school and supporting 10,000 women in reclaiming their dignity and independence. Every day brings new stories of hope, proving that, together, we can break the cycle of poverty and exploitation