Latest news with #StateFederationofWomenSurvivorsofCommercialSexualExploitationandHumanTrafficking
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
VIMUKTHI urges Andhra Pradesh government to implement pending welfare schemes for sex workers
VIJAYAWADA: Marking International Sex Workers' Rights Day, VIMUKTHI—the State Federation of Women Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking—called on the State government to urgently implement long-pending rehabilitation and welfare measures for over 1.33 lakh sex workers and survivors. At a State-level meeting held in Vijayawada, VIMUKTHI President Apoorva cited Ministry of Health data stating Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of women engaged in sex work, affecting nearly 2.25 lakh family members. APSACS data from 2022 shows over 40,000 sex workers in the State are above 40 and unable to exit the profession due to lack of alternative livelihoods. Executive Committee Member Shanti criticised the non-implementation of crucial policies, including once hailed as a pioneering anti-trafficking framework during the tenure of then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. She noted that policies such as (interim relief) and (compensation) have also been ignored. Between 2016 and 2022, 2,460 survivors were rescued, yet 90% received no support. RTI data revealed only 592 of 2,737 survivors in shelter homes received services. Of the Rs 12 crore allocated for compensation, less than Rs 20 lakh has been used. VIMUKTHI demanded a shift to community-based rehabilitation.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Protect rights of sex workers, trafficked women
Vijayawada: Vimukthi, the State Federation of Women Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking, has called on the State government to protect the rights of nearly 1.33 lakh sex workers and trafficking survivors in the State. The Federation demands community-based rehabilitation programmes, legal compensation, and inclusion under all relevant welfare schemes. Apoorva, president of Vimukthi, voiced the demand during a State-level meeting held on the occasion of International Sex Workers' Rights Day here on Monday. International Sex Workers' Rights Day is observed on June 2 globally, commemorating the 1975 protest by sex workers in Belgium demanding safety, dignity, and recognition. Citing the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's 2021–22 annual report, Apoorva stated that AP has the highest number of women in sex work in India, with over 1.33 lakh women dependent on this livelihood. Approximately 2.25 lakh family members rely on them. Including migrant sex workers, the actual number may be even higher. According to APSACS (2022), over 40,000 sex workers in the state are above the age of 40 and unable to exit the profession due to lack of alternate livelihoods. In Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts, over 35,000 women are engaged in sex work, supporting around 64,000 dependents, including 14,400 elderly women. These women face intense social stigma, loneliness, and mental distress, compounded by poverty and exclusion from state welfare schemes. Through RTI, Vimukthi found that 2,737 survivors were housed in rehabilitation centres between 2019 and June 2023 of whom 2,265 in Ujjwala home, 447 in Swadhar homes and 25 victims in the homes run by NGOs. Yet, only 692 applied for services, and just 592 received any support—a mere 22 percent service coverage. The government of Andhra Pradesh issued orders in 2018 for victim compensation. But only five compensation applications were submitted State- wide (all from Machilipatnam), despite 2,890 registered trafficking cases in between 2016-22. Though Rs 12+ crore is available under the compensation fund, less than Rs 20 lakh has been spent on trafficking survivors. HELP Secretary Rammohan Nimmaraju, Programme Manager Bhaskar and Project Manager Pavan Kumar also participated.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sex workers urge government to provide alternative livelihood, extend financial support
Members of the State Federation of Women Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking have appealed to the government to provide compensation, healthcare, and education support for their children. The federation urged the government to implement community-based rehabilitation programs and extend welfare schemes to support their reintegration into society. According to Apoorva, President of the NGO Vimukthi, which fights for the rights of trafficked survivors in the State, there are about 1.33 lakh sex workers and survivors of trafficking in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking at a programme held on International Sex Workers' Rights Day on Monday, Vimukthi executive committee member, Shanti, expressed concern over the poor implementation of government orders intended to protect the rights of sex workers and their families. Ms. Apoorva asked the government to facilitate the formation of self-help groups (SHGs) among the survivors and provide access to loans for them through the APSACS, DRDA, and MEPMA and create opportunities for alternative livelihoods. The programme was attended by HELP, secretary Ram Mohan Nimmaraju, programme manager Bhaskar, Vimukthi project manager Pavan Kumar and others.
