guria news update_sept_2013
TRANSCRIPT
7/29/2019 Guria News Update_Sept_2013
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Guria News Update September 2013
Women's Day Celebration
International Women’s day is a day of political
and social awareness for women’s rights and
one which recognises respect and equality for
women all over the world. The United Nations
theme for this year was ‘ A Promise is a
Promise: Time for Action to End Violence
Against Women.’ The day was celebrated at
the Guria Non-formal education (NFE) centre
in Shivadspur, Varanasi. Guria hosted
festivities which included 112 children of the
NFE centre and their mothers from the red
light area. The festivities came to an end with
Bollywood dancing and sweets for the kids.
Ajeet with kids at the centre
Colourful celebrations!
Holi, the Festival of Colours, was
celebrated at the Guria NFE
centre in Shivadspur, Varanasi.
95 children at the centre werearmed with bags full of gulal
(colored powder). The excited
kids spent the day throwing,
sprinkling and spraying color all
over each other. The festivities
continued until there was not a
recognisable child to be found.
Special Indian sweets, langleta
and soan papdi, were served
and fun was had by all.
Message from the Guria Team
Last December the heinous Delhi gang rape received international attention and there has since been a rise in
media coverage and widespread protests against rape and violence towards women. Ajeet Singh sees the
positive side and comments “People are raising their voices as one against such issues”. However he adds “one
incident has evoked such strong reactions. I have so many cases involving minors that are crying out for justice.”
This is why Guria exists, to support and achieve justice for the many women and children whose horrific stories
will never reach the news.
We would like to thank all our supporters helping Guria to achieve its aims and hope you enjoy this brief update
on our work and events so far this year.
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Sensitisation meeting on prevention of human trafficking with over 10,000 women, Aug 2
Non formal education
Guria’s non-formal education
(NFE) centres continued to
provide a safe place for children
to play and learn. These centres
are based in areas where
children are vulnerable, such as
red light districts or those wherethere is a risk of ‘sex-tourism’.
Children were enabled to attend
mainstream schools and helped
with homework as well as
encouraged to play and be
creative.
Highlights
Guria take a holistic approach recognising that this is the only solution to a complex, horrific and entrenched
problem. Key highlights of Guria’s legal work, campaigning and awareness raising so far this year include:
34 new cases and 33 new paralegal cases were filed against Human traffickers/brothel keepers/pimps
7 convictions were successfully achieved
The bail of 12 human traffickers/brothel keepers/pimps was rejected; this is vital as legal cases typicallycontinue for years, so with bail a perpetrator could be free to continue abusing and intimidating victims.
5 trafficked children were rescued
Post rescue support was given to 12 victims
750 people from 16 villages were involved in community meetings and consultation
5 sensitisation meetings were held with Community Based Organizations and other stake holders whichgathered over 11,000 participants.
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For more information see:
Guira India Website Guria UK Website
Guria Facebook page Guria Blogspot
Contact UK: [email protected]
Contact India: [email protected]
Online donations: http://www.guria-uk.
Volunteering with Guria
Guria received over 40 postcards from the fundraising concert at Princeton University last December.
Postcards were sold to students who wrote a short message to children at Guria’s NFE centres.
Previous interns at Guria are making a documentary titled ‘Specks of Dust’, being filmed this summer. The
film will document Guria’s battle against child prostitution and will tell the stories of victims of trafficking. For
more info see: http://specksofdustfilm.com/
Watch this space for more Guria events to be held in the UK and the US!
"My time at Guria was the best time of my life.” (Azza Cohen, Guria India Volunteer)
Your support
The Guria team would like to say a huge
thank you to all our supporters!
Guria are a frontline charity dedicated to
protecting vulnerable woman and children,
which leaves little time to raise attention for
Guria’s work. Not only funding, but
international friendships and recognition are
important to Guria. Your support in being
aware, spreading the word or raising funds is
important. If you have ideas for awareness
raising or fundraising, such as sponsored
events, please contact Sarah Wraight
(Guria UK).
Sakina’s story
Sakina, who lives in Varanasi, was 14 years old when she was kidnapped by traffickers. The gang took her to a
brothel in nearby Choubeypur, where she was repeatedly raped and forced to work as a prostitute. Sakina’s
mother, desperate to find her daughter, managed to trace the exact location of the brothel by herself. She then
immediately went to the police. The police responded by being abusive, and refused to help, sending her away
from the station with nothing. Her mother sent an application to the district higher authorities to which there was
no action other than police attempting to force Sakinas family to merely compromise with the traffickers.
Sakina’s mother heard about and contacted Guria to get help. Guria applied pressure to the local police and
administration finally forcing them to register a complaint at the police station. Following this the traffickers were
arrested and Sakina was rescued by Guria staff and police. When appearing in court, amazingly the traffickers
attempted to take away Sakina once again which was averted through Guria’s presence. Guria continue to
provide all round support to Sakina and her family. The journey in re-building her life has only just begun.