Domestic violence prevention training provides valuable education and counselling, while human trafficking prevention programs help communities recognise and prevent exploitation.
1 in 3 women in India experience domestic violence with only 14% reporting the offence.
Girls living in poverty are frequently targeted by sex trafficking rings with promises of schooling, jobs or marriage. Parents often do not have the means or knowledge to determine whether the promise is legitimate—or to identify traffickers, which are often family friends or relatives—and mistakenly believe they are giving their children a better future.
All women and children have the right to live in safety.
Opportunity is dedicated to fostering safe community environments and ending the horrors of human trafficking.Together we can help families live safe, healthy lives.
Our PeaceMaker Program trains local women to counsel and empower other women, men and communities to protect their futures and break the cycle of abuse through education, awareness and challenging deeply entrenched social attitudes.
It also provides support for women to leave abusive situations.
Our Safe Village Program provides grassroots training in high-risk villages about warning signs of human trafficking, empowering ‘guardian girls’ and ‘informed mothers’ to become agents of change and encouraging men and boys to protect women and girls in their community. It is tackling issues of trafficking, and preventing exploitation of children.
In 2024,
77,167 women
were educated in trafficking and gender-based violence prevention
PADMA'S STORY
Observant neighbour helps Padma find her path to freedom
PeaceMakers are local women who dedicate at least four hours a week to raising awareness about domestic violence and supporting survivors in their communities. Though many have other jobs, they see this work as a calling. Trained and supported in their roles, PeaceMakers serve as trusted leaders, always alert to signs of abuse around them.
Geeta*, a PeaceMaker, became concerned about a neighbor she had never seen. Over time, she gently connected with Padma*, who was living in isolation and experiencing neglect and abuse from her husband. Through shared meals and conversations, Geeta gained Padma’s trust and encouraged her to seek help.
With Geeta’s support, Padma went to the police. Some parts of her journey went smoothly—she was able to claim the apartment as her own. But separating from her husband proved more difficult. A police officer warned her how long and hard the road ahead would be.Padma, undeterred, replied, “Don’t you worry about me. I bought a whole stack of shoes, and I am ready.”
The road to safety is never easy, but with your support, women like Padma don’t have to walk it alone.
*names have been changed for privacy.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).