What measures are being taken for the rehabilitation of sex workers in India?

The Government of India has adopted a multi-pronged approach to prevent and combat trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation. The key measures include:

Ujjwala Yojana: A comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA): Administered by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Act aims to prevent and combat trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

Establishment of Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU): The Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing a comprehensive scheme for establishment of AHTUs and capacity building of responders to strengthen law enforcement response to human trafficking.

Financial Assistance: The Government provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories for setting up Protection and Rehabilitation Homes for victims of trafficking, particularly in States with international borders.

Strengthening of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU): The Government has allocated funds from the Nirbhaya Fund for strengthening AHTUs in every district of all States and Union Territories.

Rehabilitation Homes: Protective and rehabilitation homes provide basic amenities such as food, clothing, medical care, legal aid, education for rescued children and vocational training to provide alternative livelihood options.

Capacity Building: Training of trainers is conducted to strengthen law enforcement response to human trafficking.

Panel for rehabilitation of sex workers: The Supreme Court has constituted a panel to advise on prevention of trafficking, rehabilitation of sex workers who wish to quit sex work, and favourable conditions for sex workers who wish to continue working with dignity.

These measures are aimed at providing a comprehensive approach to address the issues faced by sex workers in India.