Apne Aap Women's Collective

Apne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC) is a Mumbai-based anti-trafficking organisation dedicated to empowering women in brothel-based prostitution and their daughters, to prevent second-generation trafficking. AAWC’s vision is to enable every woman and child in the red-light areas to access a dignified and better quality of life. Its mission is to provide tools, resources, and holistic support to help them transition towards physical, psychological, and economic well-being.

Major Interventions:

Umeed: It supports adult women engaged in prostitution by offering comprehensive services that nurture their physical, emotional, and financial independence. The program begins with outreach and trust-building, followed by adult literacy and computer skills education. Women gain financial autonomy through banking support and financial literacy classes. Vocational training in tailoring, mehendi, and retail equips them to move towards alternate livelihoods. Health services, including camps, counselling, and nutritional aid, ensure overall well-being. Identity documentation supports further links to government schemes, enhancing their empowerment.

Udaan: It addresses the needs of daughters of Umeed beneficiaries, aiming to break the cycle of intergenerational prostitution. AAWC emphasizes education through school and college enrollments, tuition support, and technology-integrated learning. Regular health check-ups, nutritious meals, and mental health counselling are key components. Life skills, vocational classes in music, drama, and karate, and identity documentation prepare the girls for mainstream integration and independent futures.

AAWC also operates a full-time shelter home for girls, ensuring safety, growth, and access to consistent care, which acts as a vital space that supports them through education, health, and emotional healing.