Founded in 1998, Apne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC) is an anti-trafficking organization serving women and their daughters of Falkland Road, Kamathipura and Turbhe Stores, the red light area of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Initially a single-room drop-in centre, AAWC evolved into a resource centre providing professional counselling, medical care, micro-savings facilities, education and empowerment services. Thus, the Umeed (hope) program marked the beginning of AAWC initially with only 10 women beneficiaries.