Members of the State Federation of Women Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking have appealed to the government to provide compensation, healthcare, and education support for their children.

The federation urged the government to implement community-based rehabilitation programs and extend welfare schemes to support their reintegration into society. According to Apoorva, President of the NGO Vimukthi, which fights for the rights of trafficked survivors in the State, there are about 1.33 lakh sex workers and survivors of trafficking in Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at a programme held on International Sex Workers’ Rights Day on Monday, Vimukthi executive committee member, Shanti, expressed concern over the poor implementation of government orders intended to protect the rights of sex workers and their families.

Ms. Apoorva asked the government to facilitate the formation of self-help groups (SHGs) among the survivors and provide access to loans for them through the APSACS, DRDA, and MEPMA and create opportunities for alternative livelihoods.

The programme was attended by HELP, secretary Ram Mohan Nimmaraju, programme manager Bhaskar, Vimukthi project manager Pavan Kumar and others.