Goal

Sex workers from red-light areas will have freedom from sexual exploitation and be empowered for sustainable alternate livelihoods in a safe and supportive ecosystem.

In Mumbai, a city celebrated for its vibrant pursuit of dreams, a harsh reality persists for economically disadvantaged women trapped in the city’s sex trade. Despite being hailed as the City of Dreams, Mumbai transforms into a nightmare for those trafficked into its brothels from across the nation and neighbouring countries. The commercial sex industry in Mumbai weaves a tragic tale of victimization, struggle, and the muted voices of countless women.

Trafficked into brothels, these women face immense challenges. Sold into a shadowy world, they begin in bondage, indebted to brothel owners. Enduring sexual, physical, and emotional abuse leaves deep trauma, seemingly rendering them powerless against captors’ pressures. Lack of education and skills amplifies their struggles. Deceptive narratives about their worth perpetuate a belief that they are good for nothing else. Illiteracy hinders informed decisions, leading many to become traffickers as their income from the trade dwindles.

Recognizing the need for comprehensive intervention, Sahaara undertakes the mission to restore dignity. The organization educates these women on health-related issues, empowering them to maintain hygienic environments and understand the dire consequences of their livelihood on both health and earnings. This education serves as a powerful deterrent, potentially reducing the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Acknowledging that many women aspire to break free from the trade, Sahaara works towards their rehabilitation through tailor-made interventions, in the form of Individual Reintegration Plans (IRPs). These plans include access to Adult Literacy, Life Skills, counselling, mentoring, skill building, entrepreneurship training, etc. To realize the ultimate goal of restoring dignity, Sahaara operates a vocational training center where these women acquire valuable skills fostering self-esteem and opening doors to meaningful employment. This empowerment enables them to escape the exploitative trade, breaking free from the confines of the red-light district and forging a path towards a life of dignity and purpose.

Project Parivartan serves as a window of opportunity for women in red-light areas, offering them a chance to choose freedom from slavery and embrace an alternate lifestyle and livelihood. It is a transformative journey of breaking chains and rebuilding lives, one empowered woman at a time.