Grassroots Work

Learning

Formal and non-formal education programs for children and adults in community classrooms provides bridge courses, after-school homework help, literacy classes and more and helps girls enroll in mainstream schools. The programs also build self-esteem through art, dance, spoken English and computer literacy.
Livelihood

Apne Aap runs livelihood training centres within red light districts and at-risk communities, assisting women in prostitution and women and girls at risk of trafficking to access alternative livelihoods.
Focus: Legal Empowerment

Apne Aap helps trafficking survivors and those at risk to access their rights through trainings on human, women’s and children’s rights; legal entitlements; filing police reports; petitioning the government; standing up to exploitation; and advocating for policy change.

News

45.6% of the trafficked victims were below 16 yrs of age when first raped

National Human Rights Commission

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 Ebadi, 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."