Protection from human trafficking
The South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal is one of the regions in India most affected by human trafficking. Poverty, unemployment, and natural disasters - such as severe cyclones during the monsoon season - worsen the situation. Increasing soil salinity has led to declining agricultural yields, further worsening economic conditions. The per capita income is significantly below the national average. Remote communities are particularly affected, as many people live in precarious conditions, making them more vulnerable to human trafficking.
Prevention programmes for young people
Together with our Indian partner organisation, Kolkata Sanved, we are working to empower vulnerable young people and protect them from the dangers of trafficking. Originally, Kolkata Sanved used dance and movement therapy to rehabilitate survivors of gender-based violence. Today, the organization also offers prevention programs for vulnerable youth, aiming to boost their self-confidence and enable their social participation.

We aim to break taboos and eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation, enabling young women and girls to handle their periods with confidence. This includes raising awareness about environmentally friendly menstrual products and their proper disposal. We also want to provide training on reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls. It is encouraging to see how girls and women gain newfound confidence through the project’s initiatives.
Sobha P., Project Manager of Kolkata Sanved
Local volunteers as multipliers
In 2024, 16 volunteers were trained to independently offer dance and movement therapy to adolescent girls and other community members in their villages. They also conduct counselling and awareness sessions for at-risk youth, who in turn share their knowledge within their communities.
Working with local initiatives
In addition, the project brings young people together with local initiatives and government representatives to jointly develop preventive measures against human trafficking and gender-based violence. This exchange fosters a sustainable protection mechanism for affected communities.
Projectinfo
Place/Region | South 24 Parganas Distrikt des indischen Bundesstaates Westbengalen |
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Partner | Kolkata Sanved (KS) |
Activities |
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Duration | January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025 |
Budget | 125.000 EUR |
Sponsor | German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |