Violence against human trafficking survivors continues: VIMUKTHI

In an effort to transform Andhra Pradesh (AP) into a violence-free State for women and girls, Apurva, president of VIMUKTHI (a State-level forum for rescued survivors of trafficking and victims of commercial sexual exploitation), underscored the shared responsibility of women associations and the government. The imperative task at hand is to cultivate awareness among girls and women regarding the pervasive violence and assaults against them in society, urging them to come forward and report such incidents.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, HELP and VIMUKTHI jointly organised an awareness meeting in Rajarajeswari Pet, Vijayawada.
During the media address, Apurva highlighted the persistent gender inequalities despite the passage of time. She drew attention to the escalating violence faced by rescued survivors of human trafficking and victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
Pushpa, secretary of VIMUKTHI, characterized violence against women as a perilous pandemic requiring immediate attention from the state for prevention. Simultaneously, she stressed the need to establish a world free from violence.
Baji Vali, Vice President of VIMUKTHI, observed that women often hesitate to report incidents of violence due to fears of bringing dishonor to their families and experiencing social discrimination. Additionally, there is a concern about potential threats to the future of their children.
The event saw the participation of Rajani and Mounika from VIMUKTHI, as well as V Bhaskar, Programme Manager of HELP, among others.