India’s Rescue Foundation wins Taiwan award

TAIPEI - A Taiwan group announced Monday that it would present the 2010 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to the Rescue Foundation, an Indian non-governmental organization (NGO) that frees teenage girls from forced prostitution.

“For many years, the Rescue Foundation has rescued many women in South Asia who were trafficked and forced into prostitution and helped them rebuild their lives,” said Wang Jin-pyng, chairman of the Taiwan foundation.

“This NGO provides HIV-tests and treatment, job training and emotional support to the women,” he said.

The Rescue Foundation, based in Mumbai, has operated for eight years and liberated about 300 girls each year who were trafficked and sold into prostitution.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is due to present the award to the group Dec 10 in Taipei.

The Rescue Foundation would be the fifth recipient of the annual award, which includes a sculpture and a cash grant of $100,000.

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy established the award in 2006 to promote democracy and freedom in Asia. It is presented Dec 10, International Human Rights Day, every year.