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AGFUND International Award Conferred Upon Prajwala, 15 April 2008
Contributed by Dr. P. M. Nair, Senior IPS Officer and Pinky Pradhan, Communication and Advocacy Officer, UNODC
Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, Prajwala, receiving the award
Hyderabad-based NGO Prajwala has won the prestigious Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND) International Prize on
15 April 2008. It was adjudged the best project in the world for its outstanding efforts and pioneering work on
'Combating Trafficking of Women and Children through Community Partnership'. The award consisted of cash award, a citation and a memento.
Dr. Sunitha Krishnan the chief functionary and co-founder of
Prajwala received the award on behalf of the NGO. The chief guest of honor for the event were
High Royal Highness Prince Turk Bin Talal, Ms. Mercedes Menafra, Former First Lady of Uruguay and Mr. Victorio Tacheti, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Govt of Argentina. The event held in Palacio San Martin, Beunos Aires, Argentina also witnessed a number of distinguished guests.
Prajwala has worked with UNODC on a number of initiatives, including building the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Andhra Pradesh and developing the film, "One Life, No price". Prajwala is also an active partner in the
AHTU (Anti Human trafficking Units) set up by UNODC in partnership with the government agencies.
In recognition of this new honour for Prajwala, Mr. Gary Lewis, UNODC Representative for South Asia, said,
"I want to congratulate Prajwala for relentlessly working towards the welfare of the trafficked victims/survivors. It has also been very instrumental in highlighting the issue of trafficking in Andhra Pradesh."
Over the past 11 years Prajwala has rescued hundreds of women and children from all over India from prostitution and successfully rehabilitated them. It has been also successful in preventing over 5000 children from entering prostitution through its education program.
The idea of the AGFUND International Prize emanated from the keenness and continued endeavors of AGFUND to contribute to developmental action in the developing countries with the aim of alleviating human suffering and pain.
Dr. Sunitha Krishnan was also conferred with the
'Real Heroes' Award for her contribution to combating Human Trafficking
Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, Prajwala, receiving the award