Odisha, India
Aparna, despite being enrolled in high school when she joined our Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP), faced an elevated risk of commercial sex exploitation due to her proximity to a prominent red-light district and her family’s impoverished circumstances.
Participating in AGEP, Aparna gained knowledge about children’s and women’s rights, financial literacy, and workplace etiquette. Aparna became an advocate for change, encouraging two other girls from her community to join the program.
Acknowledging Aparna’s natural leadership, our staff appointed her as a peer leader. In a cohort of 25 girls selected for vocational training in computer courses, Aparna distinguished herself with a high score, securing a part-time internship as a computer facilitator with a monthly salary of 5,000 rupees—surpassing half of what her father earns in his government job. Despite her age, Aparna is challenging prevailing cultural norms of gender inequity within her household and community.
Help build a world free from human trafficking this International Women’s Day and beyond. Donate today at the button below if you want to help more women and girls from challenged economic backgrounds reach freedom like Aparna.
Your donation will help survivors, women, and girls most at risk of human trafficking in India, Cambodia, and Dallas overcome barriers to safe, sustainable employment.
*Name changed to protect privacy
