Human Trafficking
Navajeevan Rehabilitation Home for Women and Girls
Since 2008, ACRD has been dedicated to addressing the issue of trafficking of women and girls, with a particular focus on two remote districts of Assam where trafficking is rampant: Baksa, Tamulpur and Udalguri. Under the erstwhile Ujjawala scheme (currently Shakti Sadan since 2023) of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, ACRD focused towards the prevention and rehabilitation of vulnerable and trafficked girls.
Under this initiative, ACRD established the Navajeevan Rehabilitation Home for Women and Girls in Sikarhati village, near Barihat in Kamrup district. Trafficked, vulnerable girls rescued by the police and local administration are entrusted to the organization for their rehabilitation. In 2017, ACRD received recognition under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Beyond rehabilitating victims of human trafficking, ACRD also supports girls below the age of 18 who have been victims of sexual abuse, child marriage, child labour, or abandonment by their immediate families and require care and protection.
At Navajeevan, residents receive regular counselling support and health check-ups. They are enrolled in age-appropriate schools and based on their aptitude and interest are also given informal education at Navajeevan. The rehabilitation home also offers facilities for yoga, games, recreational activities, a library, and vocational training in tailoring, handloom, beauty courses, doll making, jute products, and more in order to help them become financially empowered. ACRD’s team assists in creating PAN Cards, Aadhar Cards, and opening bank accounts for all residents to link them to government schemes and victim compensation.
ACRD has successfully rehabilitated nearly 350 girls through Navajeevan. ACRD works closely with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Child Helpline, Police, Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unit, and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive support and protection for these girls.
