------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------- Plans afoot to rehabilitate Baina sex workers ---------------------------------------------------------- In a significant development, the Goa State Women's Commission (GSWC) and the Karnataka State Women's Commission (KSWC) have decided to work jointly for the rehabilitation of commercial sex workers of Baina red-light area.
Last week, the members of the women's commissions from Goa and Karnataka visited the red-light area in Baina with the objective to explore the prospects of rehabilitating the sex workers.
The GSWC chairperson, Ms Swati Kerkar told The Navhind Times that the sex workers given a chance, would like to give up the flesh trade and go for an alternate, more respectable mode of livelihood, adding that the sex workers are more than willing to shed the gaudy paint off their faces, provided they are given an option to choose a 'good alternate job'.
She also pointed out that even though the sex workers are ready to turn over a new leaf, it is the pressure from the runners of the brothels, more commonly known as Gharwalis which make them think twice about the offer.
The Gharwalis who are not ready to give up the goose which lays golden eggs, are yet to support the project, Ms Kerkar said, observing, "they feel that the government is trying to uproot them from their `well-settled' position, when it is the judiciary which has given directives regarding the rehabilitation of the sex workers''.
Last year, the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court had instructed the South Goa District Magistrate and the National Commission for Women (NCW) about presenting a compliance report regarding rehabilitation of the commercial sex workers in the Baina red-light area, by April 2004.
"Though GSWC is not a party to a related writ petition, earlier filed by Savera, a non-governmental social organisation, regarding rehabilitation of the sex workers, the Commission has decided to assist the individuals and institutions involved in the reformation process," Ms Kerkar added.
With a possible solution of sending back these sex workers to their native places, mostly situated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states, GSWC had established contacts with the women's commissions of these places, and even received favourable response, she added.
The deputy Collectors from Belgaum and Haveri districts have already visited Baina, in the past and the members of the Karnataka State Women's Commission had a detailed interaction with the sex workers last week, Ms Kerkar, who accompanied them to the red-light area pointed out.
The adverse effects of prostitution on the sex workers themselves as well as on the community in general, have been impressed upon them during the joint visit by both the commissions, she said, informing that "the disgraceful irony wherein the middle-aged commercial sex workers (CSWs) send their teenaged girls to school, while import the girls in the same age group from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, for continuation of flesh trade, has also been discussed in detail, with them''.
Further speaking, the GSWC chief said that presently the sex workers, especially young girls operating in this area, prefer to function temporarily and move away to a married life, once they are able to collect a substantial amount, which may be anything above Rs 25,000. "So, there is a fluidity among the flesh-trade operators in Baina red-light area and no girl operating in the region wants to involve herself permanently in this trade," she noted.
Meanwhile, the police have kept a strict vigilance around the Baina red-light area and are working as a deterrent for those, especially youth, who try to sneak into the area.
Ms Kerkar, referring to a recent incident wherein some of the sex workers had gone to the Marcaim Industrial Estate in search of customers and were eventually driven away by the local residents, said that since the presence of police had reduced the visitors to the Baina red-light area, the sex workers might have ventured in other parts of the state.
The Karnataka State Women's Commission has invited the members of the GSWC to visit few of the probable sites in Karnataka which would be used for the rehabilitation of sex workers, and further offer suggestions regarding improvements, if needed, she said. Ms Kerkar, however lamented that the Andhra Pradesh Women's Commission has been a little too slow in its response.
In the meantime, the battle for survival continues for sex workers, who more than anything else fear most the thought about their next meal. The problem of livelihood, which gave rise to this profession of disrepute, almost at the beginning of mankind, still haunts those who are in it.
Whether the women's commissions, the government and the judiciary would provide any solace to them, only time will tell. ---------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 24/1/04 page 1 ----------------------------------------------
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