CHILDREN FROM RED-LIGHT AREAS GET NOTICED

SNS, Kolkata, 20 June 2014: Human trafficking is the greatest threat to human society in the 21st century, said Mr Stephane Amalir, Director Alliance Française du Bengale while addressing the problem of human trafficking today in the city.

In an effort to give voice to the voiceless, Apne Aaap Women Worldwide (AAWW), a city based NGO, is collaborating with the French cultural center to empower 90 children of the red-light areas of Kolkata, Delhi and Bihar through theatre, video, dance workshops. These children have been part of a 10-minute video directed by Aseem Asha.

"We are holding these workshops to give voice, skills and self confidence to these children who have been silenced by the oppression of the prostitution system forced on their mothers. We are constantly trying to break the silence, " said Rupali Gupta, social activist and founder of AAWW.

The French embassy is also sponsoring the education of 24 children coming from the red-light areas in Ram Krishna Vivekananda Mission Hostel, Kolkata.

Young Mousumi (name changed) who was present at the occasion wants the world to see how difficult the situation is for her and children like her. She wants to study and become a doctor someday.

Similar opinion was echoed by Tahmina (name changed), she openly expresses unhappiness and disgust for the situation and living conditions at the red-light areas and considers herself lucky to have come out of it.