Save runaway girls from human trafficking

Name changed to protect her safety.

Neha was 20 when she left home to build a life of her own. Her family had never given her studies or her ambitions much support. When her sister moved away for university, Neha lost the person she leaned on most, and she became more and more isolated. Instead of care, she faced constant taunts and dismissive comments from her parents. The restrictions placed on her made it harder and harder to keep studying.

Determined to shape her own future, Neha made the difficult decision to leave and move to the city. She found our partner online and came to them for a safe place to stay. She began in our partner’s shelter, then moved to a group home as she took her first steps towards living independently. She enrolled on a skills course and kept up with her classes while managing her own day-to-day needs.

Later, hoping to finish her degree and repair things with her family, Neha went home. But the situation got worse. She faced abuse and no longer felt safe around her father. Once again, there was no safe space for her to study or plan her future.

Recognising the risk, Neha returned to the city and reconnected with our partner. With safe shelter, counselling, education and vocational training, she began rebuilding her independence on her own terms.

She went on to secure a full-time job earning 16,000 a month, and she built up the money management and practical skills she needed to live on her own. She has since moved out of the group home to continue her studies, and she stays in touch with our partner.

Many young women face the same barriers Neha did when family control, financial dependence and an unsafe home limit their choices about education, work and where they live. Safe shelter, education, decent work and support that lasts can help them take back those choices and build lives of their own.

Thank you for standing with young women like Neha.