- Ujjawala Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The Scheme was launched in April 2016 with an aim to prevent women and children from commercial sexual exploitation, to facilitate the rescue of such victims from the place of their exploitation and place them in safe custody and to provide rehabilitation services to such victims.
Background :
- In the past years, India has emerged as a source, destination and transit for both in-country and cross border trafficking. It has been increasing significantly. Trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation is violating basic human rights. There are some causes for trafficking: Low status of women, Poverty and Lack of a protective environment etc.
- A multi-sectoral approach is required to put in corrective measures to arrest trafficking, enable rescue, and provide rehabilitation and reintegration to such victims.
- Keeping in mind such issues, The Ministry has launched this Scheme. It has been conceived mainly for the purpose of preventing trafficking and rescue and rehabilitation of victims.
Objective of the Scheme :
- To prevent Women and Child trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation
- To facilitate rescue of such victims from the place of their exploitation and place in safe custody
- To provide rehabilitation services like. Shelter, Food, Education to such victims.
- To facilitate reintegration of such victims into their family and society
- To rescue cross-border victims and help them to reach their country of origin
Target Group :
- Women and Child who are victim of sexual exploitation
- Women and Child who are unsecure and unprotected and may become victim of such crime
Implementing Agencies :
- Social Welfare or Women and Child Welfare Department of State Government,
- Women‟s Development Corporations,
- Women‟s Development Centres,
- Urban Local Bodies,
- Reputed Public/Private Trust or Voluntary Organizations.
The Components of the Scheme :
The Scheme have five Components : Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation 4. Re-integration, Repatriation(I) Prevention :
The Ministry and Implementing agency will put in corrective measures to prevent such crimes by organising sensitization Workshops/Seminars, Awareness generation through mass media.(II) Rescue :
- There will be a group of NGOs, Police, Women, Youth, Panchayat, Hotels and tour operators etc., They will gather information on traffickers, suspicious people and vulnerable families.
- Such groups will conduct Rescue operations to provide Incentives to decoy customers/informers. They will bear the cost of Transportation of victim(s) from place of rescue to shelter home and complete the Initial documentation.
(III) Rehabilitation :
- Under this component, the implementing agency will Set up of Protective and Rehabilitative (P&R) Homes for victims. They will provide all basic amenities, medical aid, rent, education, vocational training and Income generation activities.
(IV) Re-Integration :
- The Ministry will set up Half-Way Home for a group of victims who are ready for reintegration, live and work out of this place.
- Under this component, the scheme would provide travel for victim from place of exploitation to their Home.
(V) Repatriation (Cross-Border) :
- The scheme would provide for expenses incurred in fulfilling various formalities for obtaining repatriation order for the victim. Implementing agency will bear the cost of Travel, temporary accommodation, food etc.
Funding Pattern :
- The funding pattern for the release of funds will be shared as below:
| Central Govt. : State : Implementing Agency | 60:30:10 |
|---|---|
| Central Govt. : North Eastern and Himalayan States : Implementing Agency | 80:10:10 |
| Central Govt. : Implementing Agency ( For Union Territories ) | 90:10 |
Monitoring of the Scheme
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development will monitor the scheme, co-opting a representative from the State Government whenever necessary. Further monitoring of the scheme will also be done at District/State level by their respective Institutions.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development may cause inspection of P&R Home/Half Way Home whenever necessary.
- The Central Government can incur expenditure upto 5% of annual outlay for monitoring and IEC activities.
Important Points from Exam Point Of View :
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Launched in : April 2016
- Aim: To prevent women and children from commercial sexual exploitation, to facilitate rescue of such victims from the place of their exploitation and place them in safe custody and to provide rehabilitation services to such victims
- Components: Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation 4. Re-integration, Repatriation
- Funding Pattern: In ratio of 60:30:10 by Central Govt, State and Implementing Agency, 80:10:10 in case of North Eastern and Himalayan State. In case of UT, the ratio will be 90:10 between Central Govt and Implementing Agency.
