Women and girls who have survived prostitution as well as those who are victim of the flesh trade are participating in “Traffic Jam: Red Light Blues” a five-day festival at Dilli Haat. The festival is showcasing exquisite handicrafts, artwork, jewellery, crafts, tribal foods and other products made by the victims.
All the products are made by the women and girls who have overcome trauma and other forms of physical, mental and emotional abuse.
“The most effective and sustainable solution to end sex trafficking comes by increasing choices for at-risk girls and women and by empowering women,” says Ruchira Gupta, founder of Apne Aap Women Worldwide, which is a partner for the festival.
Kristin Brattock, an American national who is associated with the NGO for three years, said, “The idea is to raise social awareness about the need to bring about a change in the law to introduce arrest and severe punishment of the entire chain of traffickers and punishment and education programmes for customers of the flesh trade business.”
According to the National Human Rights Commission, the average age of girls being pulled into prostitution is 9-13 years of age and till date human trafficking industry has enslaved over 30 million people, half of whom are children.
School students are also supporting the cause. Manvika Athvani, 15, said, “I strongly feel for this cause, and I have pledged myself to devote my time and attention to the cause in future also.”
It is noticed that currently in most cases women and girls are at receiving end of the law and those who should be held accountable, especially pimps and middlemen, go scot free. “Women who are resisting sex slavery and those who have escaped it are raising their voice to enforce strict laws to punish the guilty,” says Ms Gupta.
The display and sale of items was also appreciated by the visitors. Snigdha Kumar, a visitor said, “It is good to see the victims working and earning a livelihood with dignity.”