Ujjawala Scheme UPSC: Ujjawala Scheme 2007 for Trafficking

What is Ujjawala Scheme?

The Ujjawala Scheme is one of the Government Schemes launched in 2007 to combat the trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation. Children and Women trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is an organized crime, and it violates human rights. India has emerged as a destination and transit for cross-border and in-country trafficking. The Ujjawala Scheme 2007 recognizes the need to address the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty, lack of education, and social exclusion.

Ujjawala Scheme UPSC Notes

The Ujjawala Scheme provides a comprehensive package of services to survivors of trafficking, including shelter, legal aid, medical care, and vocational training. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Ujjawala Scheme, its objectives, and the impact it has had on trafficking prevention and victim rehabilitation in India.

Read: PM Ujjwala Yojana

Objective of Ujjawala Scheme 2007

Through a comprehensive and integrated approach, the Ujjawala Scheme seeks to address the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, lack of education, and gender discrimination. The major objectives of Ujjawala Scheme 2007 are as follows:

• To prevent women and children from being trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.
• Creating awareness through public debate, social mobilization, and involvement of local communities, organizing seminars, and other innovative activities.
• Ujjawala Scheme also aims to rescue the victim and find a safe and secure place for them.
• To offer basic needs to the victims like shelter, medical aid, legal aid, food, etc.
• To facilitate the cross-border victims to their country.
• To reintegrate the trafficked victims into their society and mainly families.
• To offer rehabilitation services to the victims.

Components of Ujjawala Scheme 2007

Ujjawal Scheme is a comprehensive scheme that focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and repatriation of victims of trafficking. Below we have explored all the components of the Ujjawala Scheme for trafficking.

Rescue work Under Ujjawala Scheme

• The rescue work starts with information gathering. This process involves Police, Youth Groups, Non-Governmental Organizations, Women’s Groups, Panchayat, Hotels, tour operators, etc.
• After the rescue, the transportation process of the victim from the place to the shelter home starts.
• During the interim period, Ujjawala Scheme will provide food, clothing, shelter, medical aid, and other basic needs.

Rehabilitation Under Ujjawala Scheme

• The organization set up the Protective and Rehabilitative (P&R) Homes.
• Basic amenities will be provided.
• Ujjawala Scheme also provides medical care such as medicine, hospitalization, etc.
• Legal aid is also provided, which includes court work and documentation related to the victim’s court case. Victims are the main witness against the trafficker. This scheme also provides administrative costs.
• The majority of the rescued victims are children, so the Ujjawala Scheme provide notebooks, school uniform, and other costs that may have to be incurred.
• The Ujjawala Scheme also offers vocational training and income generation activities that would help the victims to support themselves.

Reintegration

• The scheme covers the travel cost of the victim and escorts from the destination area to the home.
• Ujjawala Scheme also set halfway home, where a group of victims, are ready to live and work.

Repatriation

• Ujjawala scheme also provides costs incurred in procedures for getting the repatriation state of the victim.
• It would also cover all the travel costs for the cross-border victims.

Prevention of Trafficking

• Forming and functioning community vigilance groups.
• Ujjawala scheme organizes seminars and workshops with all sensitization and representatives of the gram panchayat corporation.
• Awareness programs are also organized as well.
• Printing and distribution of awareness generation materials such as leaflets, posters, and pamphlets.

Eligibility for the Organizations to Implement Ujjawala Scheme

Those organizations who are interested to be a part of this scheme need to fulfill the eligibility criteria as follows.

• The registration of that organization must be done under the law. They should have a managing body with its functions and powers clearly in sync with the framework and guidelines provided in the constitution for such organizations.
• In addition, to meet the eligibility requirements for Ujjawala Scheme, organizations must not have a primary objective to gain profit.
• The organization needs to have at least 3 years of experience post-registration.
• The organization must be financially sound with proper availability of resources and experienced personnel to handle all the delicate issues.

Implementing Agencies of Ujjawala Scheme

• Women and Child Welfare Department/Social Welfare Department of State Government
• Urban Local Bodies
• Voluntary Organisations
• Women’s Development Corporations/Centres
• Renowned Public-Private Trusts

Significance of Ujjawala Scheme

Since its inception, the Ujjawala Scheme has had a significant impact in reducing trafficking and empowering women, earning it recognition as one of the most successful anti-trafficking initiatives in the world. It would provide a quality independent life for children and women who are suffering from sexual exploitation and trafficking. It would also enhance the social stability of the victims in society by boosting the inclusive growth of all the sections. Ujjawala Scheme would have a positive impact on the life of the children and women who have suffered.

Ujjawala Scheme UPSC

Ujjawala Scheme is a part of government schemes which makes it important from the Civil Services Exam perspective.  The program has also created awareness among vulnerable communities, preventing trafficking from occurring in the first place. Civil Servants should have knowledge about the schemes implemented to take care of sensitive issues in society. Aspirants can expect a few questions related to Ujjawala Scheme, and that’s why they must stay well prepared by following the right UPSC Books, and materials.

Ujjawala Scheme UPSC Questions

Question 1: Consider the following statements about the Ujjawala scheme. 1) It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme 2) Launched in 2007 3) Reducing the woman and children trafficking 4) After the death of both farmer and spouse, all the remaining amount is credited to their Children’s account. Options: (a) Only 1 and 3 are correct (b) Only 2 and 3 are correct (c) Only 1 and 4 are correct (d) All 4 statements are correct

Answer: (b) Only 2 and 3 are correct

Question 2: When was the Ujjawala Scheme launched? A) 2014 B) 2007 C) 2016 D) 2017

Answer: B) 2007

Question 3: Under the Ujjawala Scheme, what kind of support is provided to women victims of trafficking? A) Healthcare and counseling support B) Education and vocational training C) Legal aid and assistance D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

UPSC Notes
Uniform Civil Code	Delimitation Commission
Goods and Services Tax	World Bank
Gangayaan Mission	World Trade Organisation
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5G Technology	Goods and Services Tax
Tectonic Plates	Shanghai Cooperation Organisation