PROJECT ROSHNI – SUPPORT GROUP OF PRAJWALA
(A non-PROFIT ORGANIZATION HELPING TRAFFICKED VICTIMS)
PROJECT ROSHNI
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We are Project Roshni. ‘Roshni’ means light in Sanskrit and we would like to light up the lives of millions of women and young children whose innocent souls have been forcibly amputated by the scourge of sexual trafficking. Project Roshni was formed in the Bay Area, CA as an independent support group of Prajwala – an anti-trafficking non-profit organization run by Dr. Sunitha Krishnan in India. Prajwala believes in making active efforts towards preventing the entry of women and children into prostitution, which is by far the worst form of human slavery.
Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, Chief Functionary and Co-Founder of Prajwala
BACKGROUND
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Every year in India, over 200,000 women and children are inducted into the flesh trade or commercial sexual exploitation. Of these, over one-third are children. Sex trafficking is not only a severe violation of human rights but also results in adverse physical, psychological and moral consequences for the victims. The rescued girls are invariably penniless, mentally broken and suffering from serious or life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. The journey of sex trafficking destroys the body, mind and soul of a victim, and for children, these extremely traumatic experiences in their formative years not only stifle their healthy development, but also leave permanent scars in their lives.
India is a transit, destination and supply point for trafficking. The Indian States Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have emerged as the second largest supplier of women and children in the country for the purposes of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
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PRAJWALA
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Under the leadership of Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, Prajwala has worked since 1996 in a holistic approach to undermine the flesh trade. The programs to implement these strategies and interventions are focused on Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Advocacy.
Since inception, Prajwala has successfully rescued and rehabilitated over 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery. Over 6,500 of the graduates of Prajwala’s rehabilitation program are currently gainfully employed. Through education, over 7,500 children of women in prostitution have been kept out of the sex trade. Prajwala has created award-winning documentaries and a feature film to increase awareness. Prajwala has successfully partnered with law officials, transportation, and politicians to write policy and programs to prevent trafficking and punish traffickers.
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