Founder empowers children to escape exploitation in Maharashtra
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Priti Patkar, a social worker in India, founded Prerana to help children born into red-light areas of Maharashtra choose different futures.
Witnessing the cycle of exploitation in Mumbai’s Kamathipura prompted Patkar to seek ways to break the pattern of intergenerational trafficking. She and her husband, Dr. Pravin Patkar, began Prerana with support from Farida Lambay and Hazel D’Lima, focusing on providing children with safe spaces, education, healthcare, and family support.
Prerana’s Night Care Centre program, one of its first initiatives, offered children a secure environment away from the dangers of the red-light district while also supporting their mothers. Patkar intentionally designed the program to strengthen family bonds rather than separating children from their parents, believing children should have the opportunity to make their own life choices.
The organization faced challenges from societal stigma and resistance from those involved in the sex trade, but continued to advocate for children’s rights and access to opportunities. Prerana extended its support to mothers, helping them access rehabilitation, livelihood opportunities, and government services. Patkar emphasizes that lasting change requires building trust with communities and collaborating with various organizations.
She measures success not only by the number of children reached, but also by whether the organization has expanded their choices and enabled them to pursue education, employment, and lives free from exploitation. As of this report, Prerana has reached 19,883 children.
