NGO seeks hefty fund allocation in Budget to tackle sex trafficking

PANAJI

With Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inviting public suggestions for the State Budget 2026-27, ARZ (Anyay Rahit Zindagi), the NGO fighting sex trafficking here for over 25 years, has sought allocations for prevention, protection, prosecution, and rehabilitation in a unified budget framework.

ARZ estimates that between 13,000–14,000 individuals are engaged in commercial sexual activities in Goa -- nearly 1% of the State’s population. 

Of these, around 6,800 women are registered with the Goa State AIDS Control Society, while another 7,000 are trafficked into Goa temporarily from other States and abroad. 

The NGO warns that livelihood insecurity remains the biggest barrier preventing victims from leaving exploitation.

Currently, ARZ runs two livelihood centres in Mapusa and Vasco under its WISH (Women’s Initiative for Self Help) program, providing dignified employment to 55 survivors. 

But the demand far outstrips capacity, with thousands of women seeking rehabilitation.

In its submission to Sawant, ARZ has called for a Statewide confidential survey to document the scale of trafficking, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and rehabilitation needs.

ARZ said Goa has the opportunity to become the first State in India to comprehensively integrate anti-trafficking measures into its budget. 

“Let there be no person in Goa forced into commercial sexual activities due to lack of livelihood and rehabilitation services,” the NGO said.