About Us
AAVAJ Project
'AAVAJ' is a CSR funded project run by Saheli HIV/AIDS Karyakarta Sangh, supported by Villoo Poonawalla Foundation. The acronym AAVAJ stands for 'Advocacy Against Violence and Alliance for Justice'. AAVAJ is a focused intervention which is being conducted to combat sexual Violence. The project aims to provide free psychological, legal and other required support to adult women and transgender people who are survivors of any kind of sexual violence. Standing against the perpetrators, aiming for their conviction and spreading awareness about sexual violence are the primary objectives of this project. AAVAJ runs a dedicated helpline which is available 24*7 for accessing help.
Our aim is to curb violence against women (with special focus on sexual violence) and develople a support system that will ensure timely and fair justice and well being of survivor.
Our support is survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in empathy, trust, and long-term empowerment.
Our Vision
To curb violence against women (with special focus on sexual violence) and develop a support system that will ensure timely and fair justice and wellbeing of survivors.
Our Mission
1. To sensitize and develop capacities of various stakeholders for prevention and response to violence against women.
2. To empower the survivor by providing counseling support, rehabilitation measures and building courage to fight for justice.
3. To provide support for accessing and ensuring legal justice.
4. To conduct research and advocate for the prevention and resolution of sexual violence
Our Organization
AAVAJ: Advocacy Against Violence and Alliance for Justice
80 +
Social organizations and individuals working in the fields of social work and humanities
10 +
Government services, including hospitals, One Stop Centers, and other essential support systems
1200 +
Individuals who actively participated in these awareness sessions
80 +
Visits to police stations and police chowkies across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad (including repeated visits)
37 +
Awareness sessions conducted across various communities
6 +
Educational institutions
Why Choose Us
How We Can Help
Starting with 9 community members, Saheli has the strong support of 2200 general body members, covering almost 90% of total sex workers population of women in sex work in the red-light area. Saheli Sangh believes 'Sex-work' is work and takes initiative to implement various need-based programs from HIV/AIDS Awareness to Legal Literacy and a range of activities for advocating decriminalizing sex work and sex workers.