ujjawala
The Ujjawala project was launched in 2009 for the rehabilitation of women victims of abduction.
Trafficking of women and children for immoral activities has become a widespread menace. Annually 5,00,000 and above cases of trafficking are reported globally and the figure is put at above 30,000 in India. Trafficking is carried out for the purposes of organ stealing, commercial sexual exploitation, free and bondage labour, etc. Taking a serious note of this trafficking of women and children menace and wanting to protect the innocent and helpless victims, the Government of India through its Ministry of Women and Child Development has evolved a comprehensive scheme to be implemented by reputed NGOs. Since SRDPS has been rendering commendable services in the area of Women and Child development, it was selected to implement this Ujjawala Rescue cum Rehabilitation Home project in Vellore District in Tamil Nadu in the year 2009.
TARGET GROUP/BENEFICIARIES
| Women and children who are vulnerable to trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. | Women and children who are victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. |
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The main components of this Ujjawala Scheme are :
| Prevention | Rescue | Rehabilitation | Reintegration |
The work carried out during the reporting period is described below
prevention
Prevention of trafficking of Women and Children for immoral purposes the measures undertaken are formation of| Formation of Community Vigilance Groups | Conducting 2 days Workshop/Seminar |
| Conducting Awareness Generation Programmes | Preparation and distribution of IEC Materials to the high risk groups, general public and officials dealing with trafficking. |
Community Vigilance Groups:
During the reporting period three Community Vigilance Groups in Visamangalam, Bommikuppam and Kandhili are formed with 20 to 25 members consisting of VAO'S, President, Teachers, Petty shop owners, Auto Drivers, Local Youths, lawyers, Primary health center nurses and Police and they have review meeting with them every month.
Awareness Generation Programme (AGP) :
Creating Awareness programs in the forms of Street plays, Awareness songs, Announcements through Sound box, Issuing Pamphlets, Video displays were held in following places in this year Konapattu, Vakkanampatti, Kandhili, Dr.MGR Govt Arts and Science College, Krishnagiri, Pudhupettai Kasinayakanpatti, Parandapalli, Kajalnaickanpatti, Palnakuppam, Vishamangalam Various awareness campaigns were conducted in the above areas on how to prevent and protect Trafficking. Thus when people go directly to the place where they are and create awareness we are able to resolve their doubts immediately. The following details were provided to the public during the awareness drive. These events were properly documented by the Draient Director and and Social workers.
DEVELOPMENT AND PRINTING OF AWARENESS GENERATION MATERIALS :
Information, Education & Communication [IEC] materials were developed, printed and distributed in the form of booklets, brochures, posters and handbills using the resource materials prepared through NIPCCD during the training sessions conducted.
RESCUE:
Rescuing victims of trafficking is a three step process as listed under
Information gathering and communication Rescue operation Immediate Relief.
Rescue Operation :
After receiving information about the victims of trafficking, it is verified whenever possible and the ujjawala staff proceed to the spot, complete the legal formalities like filing a FIR or CSR and with proper documents the victim is transported to the Ujjawala Rehabilitation Home.
Immediate Relief:
On locating the victim, the staff assess the situation to find out the best immediate relief and provide them. This can be in the form of medical care, food or refreshments, etc. Which is provide even before proceeding with the other formalities.
REHABILITATION:
The Ujjawala Rehabilitation Home is well equipped with the necessary amenities such as safe place to stay, kitchen, toilets, bathrooms, etc. Soon after admission into the Home the victim is provided with clothes, toiletry items and served with nutritious and freshly cooked food. The other services extended to the Victims of the Ujjawala Home are free legal aid, medical check-up, counselling, recreation, formal education and vocational training for self-employment and self-reliance. During the reporting year 58 Women and 18 Children were newly admitted in Rehabilitation Home. So far 56 Women & Children were discharged. From 1.4.2009 the home received 687 Women & Children till date. At the end of the reporting period the number of Victims in the Ujjawala Rehabilitation Home were 16 Women and Children. This Home has a floor area at 2700 sq.ft, Fire fighting equipments are fitted in strategic places for emergency use, Stock register on clothes like chudidhars, sarees, blouses, petticoats, Children’s clothes nighties, etc
which are meant for distribution to Victims is maintained. All the victims are taught yoga and made to attend group prayer sessions. This would help them be in peace of mind and clarity of thought which could lead to prepare themselves for re-integration.
RE-INTEGRATION
The first stage is Half Way Home. After staying in well protected Ujjawala Home the inmates may find the outside world harsh and unfriendly. In this Half-Way -Home & Victims are arranged to stay together in a rented building with basic amenities and safety, so that they gradually get integrated into the society. Ujjawala Project provides some money for their maintenance and they are expected to find job to earn money to meet their needs. Even at this stage effort to reconcile them with their family members are continued in order to help them in re-integration.
The Second stage is providing seed money. This money is provided to start same self-employment they acquired during their stay in the Ujjawala Home or the skills acquired earlier. The others are encouraged to find a job for their living with dignity.
The third stage of re-integration is Transport and escort. In case of victims who do not know where their parents or relatives live, advertisements are published in the local language and in local editions. If there is a response to the advertisement, the rescued person is entrusted to them.Otherwise, one of the Ujjawala staff escorts the person to the address or town and inquiries with the competent authorities and hands them over to their respective family or relatives.
The fourth stage is to follow-up and networking. After re-integration 5 cases are followed up every year with two visits to ensure that they are well integrated with their families or communities and they are able to earn their living with a reasonably well paying job. Networking with NGOs and other humanitarian organizations are organized to provide the future follow-ups, if necessary.
SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP
A seminar is conducted every year through the Ujjawala project to prevent human trafficking. This year last held on 10.03.2021 at SRDPS campus. The event brings together people who have direct contact with the community and many who are socially concerned, volunteers, social activists and social workers. Accordingly this year the Students from Government Arts and Science College, Kajalnaickanpatti, Unique Arts and science College, Karapattu, Government Arts and Science College, Palacode and Amirthalaya College of Eduction were participated the Workshop. Also School Teachers, Community Vigilance Group members and many others attended. The director Mrs. N.Thamizharasi gave a Powerpoint presentation on their Ujjawala project. Mr. Wislon Rajasekar, Deputy Collector of Tirupatur District delivered a wonderful speech about the current scenario of the Trafficking. District Child Protection officer Mr.Thirumavalavan delivered speech about Child Protection. Advocate Mrs. Ammu from vaniyambadi explained to them legally about kidnapping and the penalties against Human trafficking. Mrs. Rani, Assistant Inspector, Police, AWPS Ambur attended and explained how to identify abducted women and children. 100 people including social activists and volunteers and teachers from Vasanth Nursery school were attended. Awareness documentary films and statistics related to trafficking were displayed on the video screen in this workshop. Certificates were awarded to all who attended the workshop.