By Julia Matthew | Managing Director
Dear friend,
Women and girls trapped in or at risk of sex trafficking in Mumbai continue to face unimaginable hardship. Many have endured physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, coercion, exploitation, and repeated trauma. Fear, stigma, poverty, and a lack of support often leave them feeling isolated and unable to envision a different future.
During this reporting period, El Shaddai's outreach workers in Mumbai continued to visit women and girls living in high-risk areas and red-light districts. Through regular outreach, they built trusting relationships, listened to their stories with compassion, and provided emotional support and counselling. These visits gave the women a safe space to express their fears, anxieties, and struggles while helping them understand that they are not alone and that a better future is possible.
Women and girls at risk of abuse and trafficking received counselling, guidance, and encouragement to explore pathways out of exploitation. The team also provided information on legal remedies available to survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, empowering them to understand and exercise their rights. Whenever needed, women were connected with appropriate services, including healthcare, legal assistance, rehabilitation programmes, and government support schemes.
A key focus of the programme was to build confidence and resilience. Through awareness sessions and one-on-one counselling, women learned about gender-based violence, human trafficking, and personal safety. They also discussed social issues affecting their communities and were encouraged to become advocates for change. As their confidence grew, many women began speaking out against violence and motivating others to seek help and protect themselves from exploitation.
Special awareness sessions were conducted on internal trafficking within India and cross-border trafficking, helping women recognise the warning signs of trafficking, understand common methods used by traffickers, and make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families.
While the healing journey is often long, many women have taken important first steps toward rebuilding their lives. Through consistent support, counselling, and encouragement from El Shaddai's outreach workers, they are beginning to regain their self-worth, strengthen their emotional well-being, and work toward a future free from violence and exploitation.
Thank you so much for your generous support of our projects in Mumbai, India. Your partnership enables us to continue reaching vulnerable women and girls with compassion, practical assistance, and hope. Together, we are helping survivors heal from trauma, protect those at risk of trafficking, and create opportunities for women to build safer, healthier, and more independent lives. Your support is making a lasting difference in the fight to end the exploitation of women and girls.
With Gratitude
El Shaddai Family!
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By Julia Matthew | Managing Director
By Julia Matthew | Managing Director
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