Bend company’s clothing helps Indian women escape sex trade

A Bend company is making waves — and clothes — in a novel way to help bring an end to the sex-slave trade in India.

Sudara sells “Punjammies” crafted by women who have escaped from the sex trade, with the slogan: “Made From Home, Made for Comfort.”

“We’re talking about a highly sexually traumatized population of women,” CEO and owner said Shannon Keith said Friday.

Each year, millions of women and children are trafficked into sexual exploitation in India. According to the U.S. State Department, India is “a source, destination and transit” country for “men women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking.”

But Sudara is working to change that through the sale of clothing made by women who have been taken from the brothels — and otherwise might have little chance of surviving outside of them.

“When women can get a job, they have employment, and so have a stable income and they can send their children to school,” Keith said. “And so the cycle is broken through education which is really exciting.”

Sudara was formed by Keith to help solve a social issue in a profitable way, as well as a sustainable one.

After a life-changing journey to India, Keith decided to do her best to help the women she met.

The word is spreading fast throughout Central Oregon, and stores already are jumping on board to sell Sudara’s products.

“Having Shannon’s headquarters here in Bend is just a beautiful match, and we are so happy to have her clothing here,” said Jennifer Riker, co-owner of Brave Collective in Bend.

For more information on Sudara’s cause, you can visit www.sudara.org.