Project Inspire-Economic Empowerment for Women in Sex Work

Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World

www.5minutestochangetheworld.org
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Swathi Jyothi is a microfinance institution that supports the economic empowerment of women in sex work in Bangalore, India. It has been established by Swathi Mahila Sangha, a collective of women in sex work, with the support of Vrutti, a Livelihoods Resource Centre.

These women live in difficult circumstances -- most of them in sex work out of desperation not choice. Many of them have no secure housing - some of them live on the streets or in brothels. Many are not able to give their children a decent education. They earn money but have no formal system through which they can accumulate savings or borrow credit. They are not easily able to access mainstream financial services ‐ mainly due to the stigma attached to their occupation and lack of relevant documentation.

Swathi Jyothi helps build the financial literacy of the women and offers them women a range of financial services -- savings bank accounts, recurring deposit accounts and short term loans. It also helps them access long-term loans and insurance through mainstream banks.

Currently, Swathi Jyothi has reached 4,200 women in sex work -- helping them save and send their children to better school, find more secure housing and in some cases even start their own business and come out of sex work.

With the support of Project Inspire, we would like to extend the benefits of Swathi Jyothi to thousands of other sex workers and help change their lives for the better.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Project Inspire
• Economic Empowerment
• Swathi Jyothi

[gowdablr]

Good efforts folks! am sure this will go through the final stages of the competition.

[sapnagnair]

Really inspiring - project Inspire help them win !

[sapnagnair]

Really inspiring