Bihar-based global anti-trafficking trust observes International Literacy Day

Forbesganj (Bihar), Sep.8 (ANI): As the world celebrated the International Literacy Day on Thursday, Apne Aap Women World Wide India Trust, an international anti-trafficking organization that works with children and women living in the red light areas of Bihar, organized various programs like a skit, a drawing competition, a quiz, a debate and an essay competition on the Right to Education for daughters of women in prostitution and children in red light areas.

The event was held in Forbesganj of Araria District.

Apne Aap Women World Wide India Trust Bihar State head Manish K Jha said there was need to train special focus on providing education to daughters of women in prostitution and children in red light areas.

Jha claimed that while every citizen of the country had a right to education, children living in red light areas are not given that protection to go to school. They are completely dependent upon at the mercy of brothel owner.

He said that it is crucial to integrate and spread literacy in the country's red light areas in order to plant the seeds of discipline, foster dialogue and reconciliation, and give youth and adults the skills they need to seek decent employment.

Commenting on this year's theme of International Literacy Day-Literacy and Peace, an official of the trust said: "Literacy is a prerequisite for peace because it carries multiple benefits, cutting across the human, cultural, social, political and economic spheres. In today's knowledge driven societies, lack of literacy with exclusion and marginalization."

He further said investing in literacy programmes was a sensible and essential development choice noting that was a key component of strategies to promote sustainable development.

On the way forward, Ms. Soumya, M and DO said: "The world urgently needs increased political commitment to literacy backed by adequate resources to scale up effective programmes. Today, I urge governments, international organisations, civil society and the private sector to make literacy a priority, so that every individual can develop their potential, and actively participate in shaping more sustainable, just and peaceful societies". (ANI)