Freeset
 | |
| Established | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Location | India |
| Website | http://www.freesetglobal.com/ |
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (January 2018) |
Freeset is a group of social enterprises focused on creating employment opportunities for women affected by sex trafficking in West Bengal, India. Freeset consists of Freeset Bags & Apparel, the weaving business Freeset Fabrics, and Freeset Business Incubator, a related business initiative focused on facilitating the establishment of new businesses.[1]
Freeset Bags & Apparel offers employment to approximately 200 women who were trapped in Kolkata's sex trade. Founded by Kerry and Annie Hilton in the year 2001, Freeset offers women of the Sonagacchi red-light district of Kolkata alternative employment opportunities, in which profits from the business are used for the benefit of the women.
The jobs offered by Freeset allow predominantly affected women to experience financial independence and gain better access to both healthcare and educational opportunities for their children. Upon first employment at Freeset, many women, due to only prior experience in the sex trade, need and receive basic skills training.[2]
Freeset Business Incubator emerged later in 2011 to expand the opportunities offered by Freeset Bags & Apparel. This initiative encouraged development of new freedom businesses and expanded capacity and expertise of existing freedom businesses via the Freedom Encounter, a 3-week starter course educating on these objectives. Freeset Fabrics was the first such freedom business begun under the guidance of the Incubator.
Freeset Fabrics, the first Freeset freedom business established in a rural milieu, is located in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Weaving is a traditional skill among the people of the area and this influenced the decision to start a weaving business with an initial focus on making scarves. The idea behind locating the business in such an impoverished area, this is known also to be a source of young women trafficked for sex, is to provide economic opportunities for women who would otherwise be vulnerable to such trafficking risks. Training started in late 2014; the first scarves came off the production line in 2015.[3][1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Freeset - End Slavery Now". endslaverynow.org. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ "Monday, 20 July 2015 Voices".
- ^ "Helping women to enjoy independence with every gift bag". Nourish London. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
Sources[edit]
- Cadacio, Jodeal (13/11/2009). "Freeing women from sex trade". North Shore Times.
- Chanwai-Earle, Lynda (20/7/2015). "Freedom from Calcutta's sex slave trade - Freeset, India". Radio New Zealand National.