Video Credit: David Goldman
Apne Aap Women Worldwide is a grassroots Indian organization that empowers marginalized girls and women to resist and end sex trafficking. We organize vulnerable girls and women into small self-empowerment groups, where they work collectively to access legal, social, economic and political rights.
Our organization was founded in 2002 by Ruchira Gupta along with 22 courageous women in prostitution who shared her vision of a world where no woman would be bought or sold. A charitable trust registered in India, Apne Aap Women Worldwide continues to strive to turn this vision into reality. Since 2002, Apne Aap has
The 2026 Last Girl Awards: Celebrating Those Who Fight Global Sex Trafficking
On October 2nd, 2026, Apne Aap celebrated The 10th Annual Last Girl Awards, hosted in partnership with Asia Society. The Last Girl Awards is an annual recognition of global grassroots action to eradicate sex trafficking. The program pays tribute to individuals who work to build a better world by standing up for The Last Girl—women and children made vulnerable to trafficking because of the intersecting inequalities of their lives. This year was especially impactful as we honored individuals leading the fight for justice for Epstein survivors.
We were so honored to hear inspiring words from 2026 Time 100 Honorees Lauren Hersh and Rachel Foster, and Rebecca Zipkin of World Without Exploitation. We also honored human trafficking specialist and survivor advocate Liz Stein, Founder and CEO of The Jensen Project, Janet Jensen, and eco-feminist icon Vandana Shiva.
As the Epstein case continues to show how survivors and allies can bring down even the most powerful, the evening supported food, hygiene, education, safe spaces, and freedom for women and children in India’s red-light areas.
To learn more click here.
See past Last Girl Awards here.
Photo Credit: Vicky Roy
Fourteen-year-old Heera knows she is living on borrowed time when she is expelled from school. There is no food at home and her father wants to sell her into the sex trade. She has no means to fight back until a woman’s rights advocate enrolls her in her Kung Fu class. Through it, Heera learns that her body isn’t an object to be preyed upon, but a vessel to free herself.
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Simran “Simi” Singh’s life in Punjab is filled with love and hockey games until religious intolerance forces her family to flee to America.
Separated from her mother at the border, Simi faces hardship and detention but holds onto hope through extraordinary acts of kindness as she crosses the Arizona desert.
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