Caring for sex workers

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: Stigmatised by society and ignored by legislators, sex workers continue to struggle, seeking similar rights to occupational health and safety as other workers in the state. Maya, a former sex worker, is now associated with the Karnataka Sex Workers' Union and NGOs like Jyoti Mahila Sangam and Swathi Mahila Sangam to help current sex workers avail medical amenities and create awareness within the community on sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV/ AIDS alongside many government schemes that can be procured by the sex workers' community.

“I have been working for the rights of sex workers from the past 12 years now and I have seen a rise in cases such as AIDS and most of the transmitters have been men.” Dr Ravi Shankar, a doctor at Konanakunte Urban Primary Health Centre said, "Around 1,200 sex workers visit the facility in a month complaining of Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Pubic lice and HPV for which we provide them with blood test facility and internal examinations are carried out alongside medication and treatment plans."

In the alleged absence of government facilities, nurturing bodies like Jyoti Mahila Sangam and Swathi Mahila Sangam have been working extensively to provide the sex workers' community with basic medical and health supplies and also to empower them to face the world.

Based on projects, the workers are placed into various training programs that generate good enough awareness and knowledge into protecting themselves and their own. They also help women acquire voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and patient cards to make the life of women easier.

The organsations also ensure that pregnant women are provided with ample care in terms or pre and post natal requirements which include covering medical treatments for the newborn. Harish BS, an associate with Swathi Mahila Sangham said, “Swathi Mahila Sangam also operates a helpline desk and number for women experiencing any violent crimes,” he claimed that the concerns will be addressed within 90 seconds after being contacted.

Due to social deconstruct, sex workers have been treated differently by society and many of their problems are unheard off. They are not only criminalised for their profession and pity issues but they also fight against many odds such as raising their children, acquiring rented homes and secure jobs with the background of their line of work.

As citizens of the country, they must be seen as equals instead of being judged for their occupation. Even though sex work is partially legalised in India, the schemes set up by the governments are failing to provide them with a life of dignity due to the deeprooted stigma against their work.

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1986, which was revised in 2006, prohibits human trafficking and shelters sex work victims in India. However, the sex workers allege that the law enforcement department have very little care for them and make them pay bribes.