An Oasis of safety for women and children

Bengaluru: It is estimated that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives. This may not include sexual harassment. To prevent this many organizations work on making India a better place for women and children and Oasis India is one of them.

Oasis India, founded in 1994 and based out of Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pungunur (Andhra Pradesh) works on preventing human trafficking and other forms of violence against women and children while assisting each person to flourish in the context of their community.

Oasis India works on programmes which are split into six core areas: Prevention, Education, Sports, Rehab, Skilling, and Community Empowerment.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Divya Kottadiel Honorary Member, Oasis India, Bengaluru, says “People are tricked into situations where they are bought, sold, abused, and exploited in many different ways like sexual exploitation, forced labour, street crime, domestic servitude or even the sale of organs and human sacrifice. Trafficking affects every continent and every country. So our mission is to work in an inclusive, integrated, empowering and comprehensive way so that all people experience wholeness and fullness of life.”

Oasis India has worked in this field for a number of years and has the experience to create effective solutions to cater to the needs of vulnerable urban communities. Over the past ten years Oasis India has assisted 342 dropouts to enroll in school; helped 5,748 children to succeed in their studies and in life more generally; has had 3,597 students graduate from its skilling programs and has assisted 679 women survivors of trafficking reintegrate into a stable environment.

Oasis India claims that its programme on education therefore not only works to get dropouts go back to school but also support many vulnerable children to ensure they learn and succeed in their studies.

“By creating awareness on the dangers of trafficking we are able to equip people to protect themselves. We also work to intervene as vulnerable children who are able to reunite them with their families instead of them being sold into sexual exploitation or forced labour. Also in community building, We encourage all those we work with to be a part of a community group that can be a source of encouragement and support but it also a vehicle for addressing issues in their community so that all who live there can thrive and flourish” Divya Kottadiel added.   

Oasis India also runs a Rehab centre for women those who decide to step out from the red-light area. Oasis India offers personal care, counseling and mentoring that helps them come to terms with their past and move forward in their lives with a sense of hope and confidence. In some cases, this is done within a residential context where those involved are assisted in all areas of their development. The organization also provides skill training and job readiness training so that women who have faced trauma or who are vulnerable are able to earn an income for themselves.

Some of those Oasis works with have never been to school so and it helps them become literate. It also assists those from their skilling programmes to secure jobs.