Mission Statement

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase choices for at-risk girls and women in order to ensure access to their rights, and to deter the purchase of sex through policy and social change.

Our Vision

A world where every woman and girl can realize her full potential.

Our vision is inspired by the twin Gandhian principles:

Ahimsa (non-violence) -- Ahimsa is resisting violence to the self and to the other.

Antodaya (upliftment of the last woman) -- Antodaya’s last person is the prostituted girl or woman.

News

Ruchira Addresses Students at IIT Delhi
Apne Aap Women Worldwide Celebrates National Girl’s Rights Day
Apne Aap Women Worldwide Hold Health Camp in Harijan Basti in Najafgadh
Apne Aap and Equality Now launch new short film
"Symbiosis college students in India take Shapath-Pedge to work with Apne Aap to end human trafficking." See
Apne aap, other NGOs, Donors including NoVo Foundation respond to Crimson lies.
Read Apne Aap response
Read NoVo Response
Read NGOs Response
Apne Aap host "A Conversation with Ruchira Gupta and Gloria Steinem" in New York City. Read about the event and watch the talk!

Hard facts

36.8% of girls in India are married before reaching the age of 18 yrs

National Commission on Population, Government of India

Testimonials

Ashley Judd, Actress/Activist:
"Ruchira Gupta is well versed in the reciprocal cycles of poverty and exploitation, and how gender inequality sets the stage. Her NGO is based on two Gandhian principles: Antodaya (power to the last wo/man) and Ahimsa (non-violence), and which says so eloquently that the destruction which happens in the soul of an abuser is absolutely equal to the victimization of the abused. She operates the NGO right in the ‘hood,’ inviting anyone to join. They teach their members self reliance, self efficacy, self respect, self love. It’s capacity building of the most essential sort."
Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn, Authors,"
Half the Sky":
"Ruchira is a hearty, loquacious woman with brown skin, black hair and an infectious manner… Ruchira Gupta and her staff at Apne Aap are part of a growing abolitionist movement that is forming around the world and having a real impact on sex slavery."
Shirin Ebady, Nobel Laureate:
"It is Ruchira’s tiny NGO that is making a difference in the world. I visited India on the invitation of her NGO, Apne Aap, which works with women and their children who live in red light districts. No government can limit or repress such small organisations."