Strengthening collaboration to protect women and children in Goa

Protecting women and children from sexual violence and exploitation requires more than the efforts of any one organisation. It takes a strong, coordinated ecosystem where government agencies, legal services, child protection bodies and civil society organisations work together.

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen this ecosystem, the ARZ team recently engaged with key stakeholders working for the safety, protection and dignity of women and children across Goa.

The team had meaningful interactions and learning exchanges with Childline, the Child Welfare Committees of North and South Goa, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Goa State Commission for Women, the South Goa District Legal Services Authority, the One Stop Centres of North and South Goa, and the South Goa Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.

These interactions provided an opportunity to understand the realities and challenges faced by these agencies in their day-to-day work, while also strengthening mutual understanding of the support available to women and children, including survivors of sex trafficking.

ARZ is grateful for the warm reception, thoughtful exchanges and appreciation shared by the stakeholders for the organisation’s work. More importantly, the interactions reaffirmed the willingness of these institutions to collaborate, extend support and go the extra mile to ensure that women and children receive the protection and services they need.

When different parts of the protection system work together, referrals become stronger, services become more accessible, and support can reach survivors more effectively.

These engagements reinforce ARZ’s belief that lasting change is built through partnership, coordination and a shared commitment to protection and dignity.

During Vasco Saptah, students joined ARZ and the Rotary Club of Vasco Port Town for the “Save Environment, Save Vasco” drive, turning awareness into action against single-use plastic.

Instead of simply distributing awareness material, the young volunteers stepped forward and engaged directly with consumers and shopkeepers. They encouraged people to hand over their single-use plastic bags and immediately exchanged them for reusable upcycled cloth bags.

The initiative gave young people an opportunity to become active environmental ambassadors while showing how small, practical actions can create meaningful change.

Why every swap mattered

🌊 Protecting our environment
Through the POTI – Protection of Oceans, Trees & Inhabitants initiative, the campaign promotes reusable alternatives and encourages communities to reduce their dependence on single-use plastic.

👗 Giving old fabric a new life
Suitable community-donated fabrics were repurposed into reusable bags instead of being discarded.

👩‍🎨 Creating dignified livelihoods
The cloth bags were stitched by women at WISH, ARZ’s livelihood and rehabilitation unit, creating opportunities for women survivors of sex trafficking to earn and rebuild their lives with dignity and independence. The students showed that meaningful environmental action doesn’t always require big changes. One conversation, one swap and one less plastic bag can make a difference.

On the occasion of Vasco Saptah, ARZ, in collaboration with the Mormugao Municipal Council, set up a stall to distribute free POTI Bags and spread awareness about the importance of choosing reusable alternatives to single-use plastic bags.

The POTI initiative brings together environmental responsibility and livelihood support. The reusable cloth bags are stitched at WISH, ARZ’s rehabilitation and livelihood unit, using old clothes and other suitable fabric collected for repurposing. Through this initiative, women survivors of sex trafficking are provided with an opportunity to earn while contributing to a cleaner environment.

The stall was inaugurated by Hon. PWD Minister Shri Digambar Kamat, in the presence of Vasco MLA Shri Daji Salkar. Visitors were encouraged to take home a free POTI Bag and make a simple, everyday choice to reduce their dependence on single-use plastic. Each reusable bag represents not only a step towards a more sustainable Vasco, but also a step towards supporting women as they rebuild their lives with dignity, independence and economic opportunity.

A 15th August reflection with the women at WISH

This Independence Day, the women at WISH took a moment to reflect on what freedom means to them not just as a nation, but in their own everyday lives.

Through a creative activity called “My Freedom Kite,” the women reflected on the small choices, habits and changes they want to make as they build the life they want for themselves. Each kite became a reflection of a personal hope and a step towards greater well-being and independence.

For some, freedom meant giving up addiction, spending more time with family and children, finding peace, choosing healthier habits, and bringing positive changes in their behaviour. These may seem like small choices, but they can become meaningful steps towards a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

The activity created a space for the women to think about where they are today, where they want to go, and the choices that can help them get there.

As their kites took flight, they carried with them aspirations for a lighter mind, stronger choices and a more peaceful tomorrow.

Small choices. Bigger freedom.

Supporting women to access essential documents, rights and entitlements

ARZ, in collaboration with the South Goa District Legal Services Authority, conducted a legal awareness interaction at WISH, Vasco, on 10 August 2026.

The session focused on helping women understand the importance of essential identity documents and the process of accessing them. The interaction also highlighted how having valid identity documents can help individuals access government schemes, services, legal protections and other entitlements.

The women were encouraged to understand their rights, seek legal support when needed and take informed steps towards securing the documents essential for accessing services and opportunities.

For survivors rebuilding their lives, access to identity documentation can be an important step towards greater independence, inclusion and dignity.

Identity is a right. Dignity is a right. Access to both is essential for a life of equality and independence.

ARZ, in collaboration with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Goa Police, conducted an interactive awareness session for 300+ students of Mushtifund Higher Secondary School on human trafficking, online grooming and child sexual abuse under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The session focused on helping students understand how seemingly harmless situations can sometimes expose children to risks of exploitation and abuse. Through interactive discussions, real-life scenarios and practical examples, students were encouraged to identify warning signs, think critically about situations they may encounter and understand where and how to seek help.

The students participated with great enthusiasm, actively engaging in the discussions and sharing their thoughts and questions. Their keen participation made the session so engaging that it had to be extended beyond the scheduled time.

Awareness and prevention play an important role in keeping children safe. By creating safe spaces for children to ask questions and discuss difficult topics, such sessions help them recognise risks, make informed decisions, seek support and protect themselves from abuse and exploitation. Think before you trust. Check before you act. Protect yourself and others.

On 30 July 2026, ARZ – Anyay Rahit Zindagi observed World Day Against Trafficking in Persons at the Multipurpose Hall, Panaji Central Library, in collaboration with the Goa State Legal Services Authority, Goa Police, and Gomantak Times.

The programme brought together 146 participants, including 87 students, 6 faculty members, 13 WISH survivors, 10 ARZ staff members, and 30 guests, including government officials, judges, media representatives, Child Welfare Committee members, and para-legal volunteers.

The event focused on engaging young people in the fight against human trafficking, sexual exploitation and violence, while creating a platform for awareness, dialogue, and creative expression. Students from colleges across North and South Goa participated enthusiastically in the Reel Making Competition, with 13 reels from 11 colleges presented during the programme. Through themes of trafficking, freedom, safety, and hope, the students used creative storytelling to raise awareness and encourage collective action.

The programme was graced by Hon’ble Judge Mrs. Durga Madkaikar, Member Secretary, Goa State Legal Services Authority; Mrs. Nutan Vernekar, Superintendent of Police, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit; Mr. Raju Nayak, Editor, Gomantak; Mrs. Rupa Bhakta, Member, Goa State Commission for Women; and Ms. Juliana Lohar, Deputy Director, ARZ.

A significant highlight was the survivor-led contribution to the event. The dignitaries were welcomed with handcrafted stoles made by survivors, while products created through the WISH livelihood programme were distributed as prizes and gifts. Every student also received a bag made by survivors, connecting awareness with livelihood, dignity, and economic empowerment.

The Anti-Trafficking Trophy was awarded to Carmel College for Women – Undergraduate for their outstanding performance in the competition. Winners of the various reel categories, along with spot-prize winners, were felicitated, and participation certificates were presented to the students and annual reports to participating colleges.

The programme brought together youth, government institutions, law enforcement, media, civil society, and survivors on a common platform. Through dialogue, creative expression, and survivor-led livelihood initiatives, the event reinforced the message that ending human trafficking requires awareness, empathy, collective responsibility, and meaningful opportunities for survivors to rebuild their lives.

On 23 and 31 July 2026, ARZ, in collaboration with the Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (IAHTU), Goa Police, conducted specialised training sessions on Advanced Investigation of Human Trafficking Cases of Women and Girl Children for Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Safety GO – Institute Hall, Altinho.

The training was facilitated by Ms. Juliana Lohar and was conducted in two separate batches for 38 Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) and Lady Police Sub-Inspectors (LPSIs). The sessions aimed to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement officers to undertake comprehensive, intelligence-led and victim-sensitive investigations into human trafficking cases.

The training focused on understanding trafficking as an organised and interconnected criminal network rather than an isolated crime scene. Officers were introduced to key stages of investigation, including pre-rescue intelligence gathering, evidence collection, rescue and post-rescue procedures, victim protection, investigation and documentation, financial investigation, digital evidence collection, and prosecution.

A major highlight of the training was the practical exercise “The Room Tells the Story.” Officers were presented with an image of a searched spa and massage parlour and given a limited time to identify potential evidence and clues. The activity encouraged participants to look beyond obvious evidence and identify phones, SIM cards, cash, UPI QR codes, room keys, registers, receipts, identification documents, and other physical and digital clues that could help establish trafficking networks and financial linkages.

The sessions also included a review of relevant legal provisions and a rapid-fire quiz on common investigative mistakes, reinforcing the importance of timely seizure and preservation of evidence, CCTV footage, digital records, and financial trails. The training enabled police officers to strengthen their understanding of evidence-based investigation, digital and financial intelligence, victim-centred procedures, and effective prosecution of trafficking cases. The interactive methodology provided officers with practical tools that can be applied during investigations and field operations.

The WISH Skill Development Unit recently marked the completion of its final batch of tailoring students with a warm and memorable farewell gathering.

The programme celebrated the journey of the women and girls who participated in the tailoring training, recognising the skills, confidence, and opportunities they gained through the course. The training was designed not only to develop practical tailoring skills but also to encourage participants to explore avenues for livelihood, financial independence, and self-reliance.

The farewell was also an opportunity for students, trainers, and the WISH team to come together, share memories, and celebrate the relationships built throughout the training journey. The gathering was filled with appreciation, reflection, and encouragement as the participants moved forward with their newly acquired skills.

The occasion also marked the farewell of Ms. Rita Jaiswar, Instructor at the WISH Skill Development Unit, whose dedication and commitment contributed meaningfully to the training programme and the learning experience of the participants. Her warmth and connection with the students will be fondly remembered by the WISH family.

As this chapter of the tailoring programme comes to a close, we celebrate not just the completion of a course, but the skills, confidence, and possibilities that the women carry forward with them.Once WISH, always WISH.

At ARZ, we believe that sustainable livelihoods are an essential part of survivor rehabilitation and long-term empowerment. Technology can play an important role in making these livelihood initiatives more organised, efficient, and sustainable.

As part of this effort, Ms. Aditi Pradhan, a Computer Science student from BITS Pilani, developed a dedicated WISH Web App and trained the WISH team in its use. The application supports the day-to-day management of the enterprise by streamlining financial tracking, inventory management, workforce management, and real-time reporting.

The integration of digital tools enables the WISH team to manage operations more efficiently, maintain accurate records, and make informed decisions for the growth of its livelihood units.

Through WISH (Women’s Initiative for Self Help), ARZ continues to embrace innovation alongside rehabilitation and livelihood support, creating dignified employment opportunities and pathways towards economic independence for women.

Technology, when combined with opportunity and support, can help build stronger livelihoods and transform lives.

Economic empowerment begins when opportunities reach women where they are.

As part of its flagship livelihood programme, WISH (Women’s Initiative for Self Help), ARZ has established a community-based paper handle production unit in Baina, in collaboration with the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Club, which has generously provided the space for the initiative.

The unit brings livelihood opportunities closer to women in the community, particularly those with family and caregiving responsibilities. By enabling women to work closer to home and at their own pace, the initiative helps them earn an income while balancing their work and family responsibilities.

Through this model, WISH aims to make livelihood opportunities more accessible and create sustainable income-generating opportunities for women within their own communities.

WISH – Bringing livelihoods closer to women, one community at a time.

On 10 July 2026, 55 Self-Help Group (SHG) Mentors from across Goa visited ARZ–WISH as part of an Exposure Visit and Training Programme organised by the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission (GSRLM), Department of Rural Development, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).

The visit provided participants with practical exposure to the ARZ–WISH social enterprise model, demonstrating how livelihood initiatives can support women through the transition from rehabilitation to economic independence and social reintegration. The session highlighted the role of sustainable livelihoods in building confidence, dignity, financial independence, and long-term resilience.

As part of the visit, participants toured the Paper Unit, Laundry Unit, AVNI Stitching Unit, and Printing Unit, gaining an understanding of how different enterprise units are planned and managed. They observed production processes and learned about workflow management, quality control, inventory and record maintenance, teamwork, customer requirements, pricing, and day-to-day business operations.

The programme also included interactive discussions and presentations, where mentors reflected on the practices observed at WISH and explored how similar approaches could be adapted within SHGs in their communities. Discussions focused on moving SHGs beyond savings and credit activities towards sustainable, market-oriented enterprises that can generate regular income and employment opportunities for women. The exposure visit provided the mentors with practical insights into enterprise management, financial discipline, market linkages, quality standards, and sustainable livelihood development, strengthening their capacity to guide SHGs towards building viable and resilient enterprises.shg

On 17th June 2026, ARZ hosted an interactive orientation and field visit at its WISH office in Vasco, Goa, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Organized as part of a GIPARD training initiative, the session aimed to sensitize a cohort of fifteen civil servants—comprising Office Superintendents and Section Officers from various state departments—on the ground realities of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and survivor rehabilitation.

Unpacking the Reality: The Mukti Model and Systemic Challenges

The session commenced with a comprehensive presentation unpacking the structural mechanics of human trafficking. ARZ highlighted that CSE operates as an organized crime relying on highly lucrative, secretive networks continuously fueled by client demand and profit-driven intermediaries.

The presentation walked the officers through the psychological stages of a victim’s journey—moving from intense Resistance, into survival-driven Adaptation, and finally to a state of internal resignation or Acceptance caused by intense stigmatization.

Data specific to the Goa context underscored the magnitude of the issue:

• An estimated 10,000 individuals are engaged in commercial sexual activities in the state.
• The illicit trade generates an approximate daily revenue of 10 Crore INR within Goa alone.
• Demographically, rescued victims in Goa comprise 59.6% Indian nationals (spanning states like Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal) and 40.4% foreign nationals (primarily from Nepal, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Uganda).
• High-traffic commercial hospitality spaces (hotels, lodges, and guest houses) represent the primary venues for physical abuse, accounting for 43 reported cases.

The briefing also emphasized the legal framework provided under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA), 1956, outlining the intersectional roles of the Police, Magistrates, Protective Homes, and supportive NGOs in handling searches, safe intermediate custody, and rehabilitation.

Rebuilding Lives: A Guided Tour of WISH Upstream Solutions

Following the presentation, the civil servants were given a guided walkthrough of the WISH (Women’s Initiative for Self Help) facilities located right inside the office premises. The officers observed the functional setups designed to deliver permanent economic exits for survivors:

1. The Tailoring Unit: Where survivors repurpose damaged materials and revive traditional handwork, translating broken elements into beautiful, marketable goods.
2. Swift Wash Laundry Services: An industrial-scale facility where the literal and symbolic process of cleansing serves as an active medium for psychological healing and trauma recovery.
3. Paper Products Production Area: Where survivors gain technical skill sets, manufacturing high-quality paper goods to secure financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.

Reflections and Action: The Feedback Session

The program concluded with an open feedback session where the civil servants shared that they were deeply impressed by WISH’s sustainable livelihood units for fostering financial independence. The experience significantly deepened their understanding of the complex psychological trauma and structural barriers survivors navigate during recovery. Moving forward, the officers brain-stormed actionable ways their respective departments could assist, suggesting options like incorporating WISH-manufactured products into government procurement channels and strengthening cross-departmental labor and welfare safety nets.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, ARZ conducted a community awareness activity through POTI—Protection of Ocean, Trees & Inhabitants. The initiative successfully emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable living.

Small Steps, Big Impact: Reducing Plastic Waste

As part of the awareness campaign, community members were actively encouraged to reduce their plastic consumption and adopt eco-friendly alternatives in their daily routines. To support this shift, families in the community received free reusable cloth bags.

These bags highlight a sustainable lifecycle, featuring:

• Repurposed Materials: Made entirely from upcycled items like old clothes, bedsheets, and fabric waste.
• Dual Impact: Beyond keeping the environment cleaner, the production of these cloth bags directly supports livelihood opportunities for women and survivors of trafficking.

Our Continued Commitment

The initiative beautifully demonstrated how simple, everyday actions like reusing materials and minimizing waste can drive meaningful environmental change.

Together, we can protect our environment, reduce waste, and build a more sustainable future for everyone.Protecting Oceans, Preserving Forests, Empowering Lives.

Earlier this week, a team meeting at WISH transformed into an impromptu celebration when “S,” one of the beneficiaries, walked into the room holding a brand-new smartphone. With a smile full of pride, she shared that she had purchased it entirely on her own terms completely from the savings she accumulated through her work at WISH.

There was no loan and no borrowed money involved; it was just her own hard-earned income. Looking at the team, she proudly stated: “This is from my hard work, earned with respect.”

A 24-Year Journey from Trauma to Triumph

For the ARZ and WISH team, this milestone represents something far more profound than the purchase of a mobile device:

• The Past: The team has known S for over 24 years, back when the primary concerns surrounding her were basic safety, health, and psychological recovery from the trauma she had experienced.
• The Present: Today, she stands as a strong, healthy, and completely financially independent woman.

This is what true healing looks like. When survivors are consistently provided with comprehensive psychosocial support, dignified work, and a steady income, they regain the confidence to make their own financial decisions, save for the future, and rebuild their lives on their own terms.

How Simple Support Transforms Lives

WISH extends its deep gratitude to the numerous businesses that choose to purchase its products and services. Every single corporate order directly contributes to creating vital, long-term livelihood opportunities for women who are actively rebuilding their lives after facing severe violence and exploitation.

Ultimately, an item like a paper bag may seem like a simple product on the surface. But in the hands of a determined survivor, it becomes:

• A smartphone purchased with absolute dignity.
• A major financial savings goal successfully achieved.
• A personal dream fulfilled and a life completely transformed.

 Every order creates opportunities. Every opportunity creates change.