Fighter. Crusader. Changemaker.

Stories of Survival and Triumph

Over 30 Lakh Women and Children are reported to be involved in sex trafficking in India, with lakhs being forced into the industry every year, some of whom are as young as five years of age.

The eviction of women from a red-light district was the spark that lit Prajwala (literally, ‘the eternal flame’) in 1996. In the years since, the organisation has rescued 28,600 victims of sex slavery, rehabilitated 26,900 survivors, prevented 18,000 children from entering the sex trade, worked to create awareness on the harms of sex trafficking and sex buying, and litigated both to convict traffickers and to demand victim-centric policies from the state. Working with governments, the administration and police, Prajwala has helped thousands of women and children build new lives in the aftermath of sustained abuse.

I Am What I Am is the story of Prajwala’s journey and that of its charismatic, fiery founder, Sunitha Krishnan. In this powerful, moving memoir, Sunitha writes about her personal struggles as a child survivor of sexual assault, her unwavering determination to confront sex trafficking in India, the colossal odds stacked up against her mission and her unfaltering belief in a higher power to keep her steady in her fight.

Sunitha’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of one individual to ignite change in the face of overwhelming darkness.

In this session, Author and Activist Sunitha Krishnan will be in conversation with Poet, Author, Podcaster & Speaker Mohua Chinappa with readings by Geeta Menon, Bhavana Chiranjay and Kripa Sukumaran followed by a Q&A session with the audience.