EMPOWER PEOPLE

SURVIVORS

Survivors have the right to speak and demand for their rights. They also have a humanistic obligation to extinguish that cycle of exploitation from society. Paro/Molki Communes work in local society to help not only other trafficked women, but also local women and children. Paro/Molki commune is a mass organization designed for survivors of Bride trafficking. The Commune work to ensure Socio-economic and development at local level.

CHILDREN OF SURVIVORS

Children of Trafficking survivors are a major concern as they actually belong nowhere. The local society discriminates against them based on prejudice towards their mothers. Despite all claims, it has been well observed that a large number of children do not attend school or even receive basic support from the society as well as government agencies. In order to address the needs of the children of trafficking survivors, we run a few community based programs.

SELF SUSTAINABILITY

Trafficking survivors and girls at risk are provided skills & business training in beekeeping, kitchen gardening, sewing, shop-keeping etc. by which Empower People is helping them support themselves and their families. SHGs of girls are selling honey produced while studying, which is enabling them to fund scholarships to assist the neediest. and also help them in shaping and sustaining their willful livelihood. Some groups also initiate steps to help other women in distress.

Grinnell Prize

The Grinnell College has awarded the 2019 Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize to Shafiq R. Khan, founder and CEO of EMPOWER PEOPLE for fighting to eradicate bride trafficking in North India and to empower the independence, agency, and leadership of girls and women who have been affected by this practice. The Grinnell Prize honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their fields and who show creativity, commitment and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change.

Shafiq R Khan was honoured with the Jijabai Award 2020 by the Women Development Cell of Shivaji College, Delhi University at the International Conference on Women’s Leadership for Global Peace and Prosperity. He received the award from Smt. Baby Rani Maurya, Hon. Governor of Uttrakhand, who shared his observation on the extensive scale of trafficking in the country and far expansive work required in the field of anti-trafficking efforts and commended Shafiq for his dedication to the cause.

Shafiqur Rahman Khan was felicitated with the Yugaantar Award 2020 by the Institute of Leadership and Governance, M. S. University of Baroda at the National Youth Conference, a National Youth Conference for deliberation on contemporary Socio-Political challenges facing India. He received a standing ovation from the audience for his inspiring talk. The conference also marks the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the visionary founder of the M.S.University of Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.