Shilpi Singh is known as the “lady Singham” in the Seemanchal region of north Bihar, one of the worst areas for women trafficking and rape. Despite numerous threats of violence, kidnapping, and murder, Shilpi has not deviated from her path of rescuing women victims of violence and trafficking. In her work, Shilpi has come across numerous stories of exploitation, including one of a 16-year-old girl who had been sold into prostitution after being married off at the age of 13. Through counseling and training, Shilpi has helped the girl rebuild her life and start earning a livelihood.
Seemanchal, which comprises four districts in Bihar, is the hub of women trafficking, with the average per capita district GDP of the region being just Rs 10,000. The average literacy rate of the four districts is 54 percent as against Bihar’s average of 64 percent, and the area has seen an increase in human trafficking cases, with Bihar ranking second in crimes against women in India. Despite this, Shilpi has rescued and rehabilitated 250 women who were trafficked and forced into the flesh trade in the last 22 years. She has also rescued almost 1,900 minor girls from child marriages.
Shilpi’s courage is inspired by her father, who started an NGO named Bhoomika Vihar that works towards helping the poor and marginalized, especially the Maha Dalits, in Bihar. Shilpi, who is the eldest of three siblings, began working with her father while she was still in college, and even after completing her MBA from Patna, she continued to work towards the cause. After her father passed away in 2013, Shilpi took over his work and has been leading the organization since then.
According to Shilpi, the trafficking gangs have sleeper cells in villages that scout for potential victims, mostly from poor families with young girl children. The sleeper cell members pass on information about families to the gangs, who then pose as friends or relatives of the sleeper cell members. They come to stay with the families and spread the word that they are looking for a bride. They appear well-to-do and approach the poor families saying they have a lot of money and the girls will be very happy. The parents think they will be rid of one mouth to feed and will also get some money in exchange for the girl. The girl thinks she will escape poverty into a life of comfort. This makes them willing lambs to the slaughter.
Bhoomika Vihar has a wide network of NGOs in Bihar that provide them with information about trafficking, child marriages, or domestic violence. Acting on this information, a team from Bhoomika Vihar reaches the spot and rescues the victims with the help of the local police. Shilpi has a team of 70 dedicated young men and women who admire her and want to follow in her footsteps.
Shilpi’s work has not been without danger. She has received scores of threats of violence, kidnapping, and murder but has not let them deter her from her path. Shilpi’s work has helped numerous women victims of violence and trafficking and has given them a second chance at life.
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