It was an evening of misty memories to honour heroines. On the eve of March 8, just before the International Women’s Day, SIB rewarded special, remarkable women, who have put in long, laborious hours to reach out to sisters in the shadows of danger.
A film titled ‘Traded’, directed by Simran Arora and Harshit Bawa, highlighted the trauma as well as plight of female survivors from Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh and how the horrors of their trafficked lives have found some solutions.
Four women activists who have been battling for the women were honoured by SIB:
Rovina, a Senior Specialist at Vihaan, who fights human trafficking and modern-day slavery. She has been a dedicated advocate for 30 years and takes up issues of gender justice, child protection and capacity building. She has worked to support vulnerable groups, shape policies and strengthen systems for a just society. Rovina leads the Gender Sensitisation and People-friendly Police Project, improving police interaction with women and children. Her work in training law enforcement and developing key manuals has made a lasting impact.
Sherlin Anthony, a Senior Specialist in Programme Intervention at Vihaan, leads the South Zone to ensure rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficked survivors. Through 13 years, she has played a crucial role in strengthening aftercare services, training teams and shaping policies for victim protection. She is a Resource person for Karnataka’s Police Academy, contributes to key state-level committees on anti-trafficking and child rights. She makes efforts to transform lives and systems for a safer, more just society.
Sister Susheela Rayappa, founder of Jnana Mandira Children’s Home, Halasuru, in 2008, works under the Society of St John Paul II. A high school teacher of 34 years, she is also a diploma holder in adult and family counselling. She has changed the lives of many children and young women, bringing them closer to financial independence, reclaiming self-respect and reaching out for the stars to achieve their dream lives.
Pallabi Ghosh, a tireless worker for rescuing and rehabilitating survivors, is also supporting law enforcement in raids and answering countless distress calls everyday. She has built an army of 75,000 to combat trafficking. Her journey began when she was 14 years and saw the anguish of a father searching for his missing daughter. It sparked a lifelong mission, leading to the establishment of the Impact and Dialogue Foundation, a beacon of hope in the fight against modern slavery.
The evening was a special one, documenting lives and solutions.