The
M A Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014, was given away to Smt. Bandari
Jayamma, at the function held on 20
September 2014 at the Osmania University Center for International Programme,
Hyderabad.
Dr.
J.A. Oliver welcomed the Hon’ble Gusts and the delegates for the Award
Function. Adv. Pratap Reddy, in his presidential remarks briefly explained
about the genesis of the M A Thomas National Human Rights Award, the founder
Dr. M.A. Thomas and his contribution to the society through Vigil India
Movement and Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, Hon. Director, VIM explained about the
selection process, jury’s recommendation and also read the citation that
honours Bandari Jayamma.
Dr.
A. Chakrapani, Hon’ble Chariman, Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Council, then
presented the prestigious M A Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014. Dr. Chakrapani extended his greetings to
Jayamma for her effortless service in protecting human trafficking and
promoting the human dignity among the victims of trafficking and also called
upon the people’s movement to join with Jayamma to uphold the dignity of the
vulnerable community.
In
the presence of Dr. A. Chakrapani, the VIM felicitated Adv. K. Pratap Reddy,
National President, VIM for his contribution to the Vigil India Movement since
its inception as one of the founding trustees and as a President since
1994. Justice K. Ramaswamy, former
Justice, Supreme Court of India delivered a felicitation address.
Bandari
Jayamma expressed and extended her gratitude to Vigil India Movement for the
prestigious Award in recognition of her service to the community in her
acceptance speech. Dr. Cherian Thomas,
Secretary and Trustee of VIM thanked the honourable guests and delegates at the
function.
M. A THOMAS NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD - 2014
Awarded to
Ms.
BANDARI JAYAMMA
Human trafficking is
a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of
women, men and children become victims of trafficking in persons within a
country or beyond the borders of a country. Almost every country in the world
is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or
destination of victims. An alarming global phenomenon of trafficking in persons
by means of coercion and deception for commercial sex exploitation plagues in
many parts of India, especially where poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and
the suppression of women’s rights are rampant.
It is in this
context that the commitment of Ms. Bandari Jayamma, a barefoot soldier, who fights
against this evil of human trafficking, is valued. A survivor of sex
trafficking herself, Jayamma defends, supports and empowers women trafficked
and coerced into commercial sex trade. In a society where sex trade flourishes
at every nook and corner and though legally banned, Jayamma fights for the
rights and dignity of those involved in the trade for survival. Based in
Hyderabad, the city with over 25,000 commercial sex workers of whom 60 percent
were forced into this practice, Jayamma initiated the founding of Chaitanya
Mahila Mandali, an NGO that empowers sex workers and sex trafficking survivors
to lead a dignified life. Jayamma started the organization in 2001 after
surviving trafficking and coercion into sexual slavery as a young woman in her
own life. Chaitanya Mahila Mandali is the first ever Indian non-profit
organization that has been founded by a survivor who has lived the pain and
trauma of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Jayamma’s
leadership through Chaitainya Mahila Mandali in rescuing victims of human
trafficking and those who are forced into sex trade, providing counseling, healthcare,
skills training, and legal aid, income-generating activities for commercial
sex workers is highly commendable. Chaitainya Mahila Mandali has so far prevented
at least 25,000 girls and women from entering into sex work. While spearheading the campaign against human
trafficking and sex trade, Jayamma has partnered with regional and national
organizations to address this growing menace. Her active participation as a Member of the
Core committee planning for National AIDS Control Programme Phase IV (2012-17)
has significantly influenced and contributed to making community participation
mandatory in the programme. Her tireless effort of lobbying has also helped
many victims of sex trafficking to take part in high level policy decisions.
Jayamma’s commitment
to be actively involved in rescuing and supporting girl children of sex workers
who are at high risk of sexual exploitation, and her concern for the victims
motivated her to open the Chaitanya Happy Home. Chaitanya is a halfway home
that provides shelter, medical care and education to children of sex workers, who
would have been abused and forced into sex trade, had they been left with their
mothers. Jayamma provides them love, care, fear-free environment and education
to live in dignity. As Akshaya, a sex worker turned a Peer Educator says, “I
always looked at myself with self-loathing and helplessness because that is how
the society looked at me. But since I met Jayamma, I have learned to look at
myself as a human being who has equal rights like others and who can stand up
for herself.”
In selecting
Jayamma Bandari for the Rev. Dr. M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award 2014,
the members of the Jury and the Board of Trustees of Vigil India Movement
recognize Jayamma Bandari’s tireless efforts and dedication towards defending
the rights and dignity of the most defenseless and vulnerable women and
children in society: the trafficked, the abused, the exploited and the abandoned.
Her work is a shining example of reclaiming the human dignity, the birthright of
every human being, especially the exploited women and children.
Justice
P.P. Bopanna
Advocate K. Pratap Reddy Managing Trustee, VIM President, VIM