Asha and Apne App Womens Collective Mumbai
In 2012 I visited one of the worst red- light areas in the world called Kamathipura Mumbai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamathipura. I volunteered with an Australian based NGO called Asha who works with women and girls affected by sexual exploitation http://asha.space/. During this time, Asha partnered with Apne App Women's Collective in Kamathipura http://www.aawc.in/.As part of my volunteer role I traveled to India to meet and interview survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. After volunteering in Kamathipura, Asha conducted the "Hear Her Voice" fundraising speaking tour around Australia and successfully raised $20,000. The money was used to help support brothel based prostitutes, their daughters, children and other marginalized girls in the red- light district of Mumbai with the tools and resources to make choices for a better quality of life.
Pictured below is an example of the typical living and working conditions of victims of human trafficking and exploitation. I will never forget meeting these women and children and hearing their stories of pain and resilience. I was deeply inspired by the work of all the feminist Indian women I spent time with at Appne App Womens Collective. These women faced harsh and dangerous conditions each day to provide outreach, support, and vital services to the victims of the sex trade.
Please watch this brief video narrated by the Director of Asha Emily Hanscamp who can be heard promoting the 2012 Hear Her Voice speaker tour and sharing some of the heartbreaking realities of human trafficking in Kamathipura Mumbai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p_uRHZoTuA