The RED LIGHTS of SONAGACHI

conferences, where representatives from international bodies have participated. They have made their demands known at these conferences (which has led to fierce polarisation

among social activists), and have asked them to be recognised under the government’s labour law. They wish to establish their own self-governing body, which would restrict under-age girls entering the profession by force, conduct regular health checks and, more than anything, do away with police highhandedness. To the detractors they say, ‘when society would never take us back into their fold, we have to fend for ourselves. These are our safeguards.’
Things are also happening in India’s capital too. At a recent meeting appropriately titled “Meri Awaz Suno” (‘Listen to our Voice’), female sex workers of Delhi raised their voices against social injustice and demanded attention to their problems. This was the first time that sex workers, health workers and government officials met on the same platform in the capital.
Moved by their stories of harassment by police, poor health care and forcible testing for HIV, to name just a few issues, Delhi State’s chief minister Sheila Dixit announced a survey of the city’s brothels to identify problems for future policy formulations.
While the debate of ‘should’ and ‘should not’ goes on, nobody can deny that the women of Sonagachi have shown what opportunities to express themselves can do.

Some statistics about female sex workers and HIV/Aids
‘Female sex workers and their clients’ is the nationwide survey report conducted in 1999 by NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) which assessed behavioural pattern among high risk groups.
In the survey, 5,572 female sex workers (FSWs) were interviewed, though how many are positive is unknown. Here are some of the findings:

54 per cent of FSWs were aged 20-29 years;

61 per cent were illiterate;

nearly a third of the respondents had their first sexual experience when they were below 15 years (official consent/marriage age for women is 18 years);

94 per cent had heard about HIV/Aids;