Millions of men, women and children in South Asia are trapped in various forms of slavery including sex trafficking, debt slavery, force marriage, and other forms of human trafficking. Estimates of the severity of the slavery problem in India vary widely, ranging from 15 to 65 million. An American Anti-Slavery Group has stated that India may have more slaves than all other countries in the world combined. For trafficking victims who are rescued from bondage, the struggle is not over. Post-rescue, victims of trafficking or other forms of slavery remain vulnerable. Not only do victims of injustice require rehabilitation to cope with a host of emotional, physical, and psychological needs, they also face economic difficulties. Many do not even have a proper place to live, and live in slum dwellings without access to water, electricity, or sanitation. JVI strengthens ventures brining rescue and restoration to human trafficking victims and accountability to offenders.
JVI is multiplying the impact of Freeset Global, a
business in Kolkata (Calcutta) that brings freedom
to former sex workers and their children. JVI is
helping Freeset establish and expand its U.S.-
based distribution networks to sell Freeset products
through churches and other groups, sustaining and
creating jobs for human trafficking survivors.
JVI is equipping three local justice ventures in
northern India in partnership with Free The Slaves,
bringing greater freedom, justice, and restoration
to children and adults trapped in debt slavery and
other forms of human trafficking. JVI has recruited
and trained a team of lawyers securing the rescue
and rehabilitation of hundreds of victims, the arrest
and conviction of perpetrators, and other positive
changes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
JVI is bringing restoration to former slaves in
southern India. Partnering with a local justice venture, Integrated Rural Community Development
Society and Habitat for Humanity India, JVI is
providing financing and volunteers to bring new
housing to twenty-five families previously trapped
in slavery.
Cities are home to one-half the world's population. In India, slum dwellers number from approximately one-third to one-half of the population in major cities. By 2030, India is projected to have over 575 million of its people (41% of its population) living in cities up from the present level of 286 million. (UNDP India Poverty Report 2009). According to United Nations' reports, slum dwellers in countries like India are living under conditions as bad or worse than their rural counterparts. Slum dwellers have limited or no access to shelter, water, health care, education, economic opportunity, and sanitation. They are not only denied the most basic human rights, extreme poverty creates an environment where slum families are vulnerable to many forms of extreme exploitation. JVI strengthens ventures empowering children, women and men living in slum communities.
JVI is equipping women to bring heath education and
services to families living in slums. Working with
Pioneer TRAD, a justice venture in Chennai, India, JVI
has helped self-help group leaders to train over two
thousand women about critical health issues.
JVI is multiplying the impact of justice venture Oasis
in the slums of Mumbai and Chennai. JVI recruited
a panel of volunteer lawyers and established legal aid
programs in these two Indian megacities, bringing
greater access to legal counsel and other services for
slum dwellers.
Through "Operation Agape" JVI is investing in hope
and love for children and adults living in the slums of
Southeast Chennai. Operation Agape is an initiative of
Southeast Chennai Pastors Fellowship, a network of over
100 churches, bringing better education and access to
jobs to needy communities.
Ensuring Justice for Other Marginalized Groups in India Numerous other marginalized groups in India suffer injustice including religious minorities, prisoners languishing in India's overcrowded jails, the disabled, girls, the elderly and other marginalized groups. Corruption existed at all levels of government and police. According to the U.S. State Department 2009 Human Rights Report, certain states have promulgated laws restricting religious conversion and violence associated with caste-based discrimination continues. Domestic violence, child marriage, dowry-related deaths, honor crimes, and female feticide remained serious problems. JVI strengthens ventures working to promote justice for selected marginalized groups suffering from extreme forms of injustice.
JVI is equipping leaders to bring victim restoration
and offender accountability in Kandhamal, Orissa, an
area rocked by anti-Christian riots, murders, assaults,
arson, and the displacement of thousands. JVI has
provided logistic support, training and case management
assistance to a team of lawyers and Christian leaders in
collaboration with Evangelical Fellowship and India.
Through investments in three justice ventures, JVI helped
to provide decent shelter, education and counseling for
children displaced by the Orissa violence.
JVI is multiplying the impact of Sahaara, an innovative
justice venture bringing freedom to "undertrial" prisoners
languishing in Mumbai's jails. JVI is providing
volunteer legal services and other support to help
Sahaara bring access to justice for prisoners held in
prison (often on minor offenses) and denied their right
to trial or other judicial process within the timeframe
required by law.