Bengaluru: The identity of sex worker is precious to her. Its closely held and known perhaps only to those who help her get clients and not even the clients themselves. Use of pseudonyms is common. But lack of an official identity in an unofficial profession, leads to exploitation and neglect and violations of rights. Most women are forced into the trade, yet not all want to be rehabilitated. Yet the government’s proposal to conduct a separate survey to study their problems has evoked a mixed response.
Many fear the survey could prove counter-productive for those who want to keep their identity under wraps. “It’s a sensitive issue. The government should handle it carefully and their identity shouldn’t be revealed,” said Meena, a member of Sadhana Mahila Sangha which works to protect sex workers from police atrocities. The committee, with former film chamber president and MLC Jayamala as president, is looking into how such a survey can be done and what benefits it could provide to these workers.
“Some sex workers work only part-time. If the survey reveals their identity , these women will get into trouble as many keep their families in the dark. Even if the government decides to legalize prostitution, their families won’t accept,” a sex worker said.
Sex workers, who say society does not respect them, want the freedom to work without fear and pressure from any agency or authority .
“This survey should not harm anyone; this is their livelihood. It is better to exclude part-time workers,” Salma of Sadhana Sangha said.
The debate about legalizing the profession is on going and the survey is a part of the process and a step in the right direction. However the profession has a stigma attached to it and consensus is not within easy reach.
