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Plan India

States - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh

Districts - East Godavari, West Godavari, Vishakapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Medak, Ambedkar Nagar, Lucknow, Mau, Maharajganj, Patna, Siwan, Samastipur, Pune

Economic and social exclusion or impoverishment has led many women to become Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (VOCSET). Stigma is intense especially for Women Affected by AIDS (WAA). As per a study by Gram Niyojan Kendra, funded by Ministry of Woman and Child Development, there are an estimated 2.12 million female sex workers in India. These women lacking assets and a safety net, run the risk of getting pushed back to the trade. Plan India works to create alternate livelihood options, so that these women do not return to the sex trade. They also ensure that children of sex workers are given proper education and livelihood options so that the next generation does not opt or get forced into the trade.

Axis Bank Foundation works with Plan India and four Civil Society Organisations (CSO) partners in 12 districts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where the incidence of trafficking is high either as source or destination.

The project uses the group approach to help rebuild lives. VOCSETs living in the same region are organized into livelihood groups and are helped to analyze their life situation, assets, household income and current options. They are then given training on various livelihood options such as vegetable vending, tailoring, milch animals etc. and technical & financial support to start small enterprises with credit linkages which they can start as a group or individually. They are also helped with getting identity cards, job cards and adhaar cards which can be used to avail government schemes.

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