The dark side of the lighted area
Poverty and financial constraints compelled many young girls to earn easy money by working as a sex worker. Majority of these female sex workers belong to the age group of 20 to 40 years and come from the lower strata of the society.
KIRAN IS a 21 year old girl. She has been working as a sex worker for almost two years. Her father is a plumber with a family of six. She lives in Badarpur area of South Delhi. Her family is not aware of her involvement in the sex trade. They think that she is a factory employee.
Kiran is pursuing a bachelor’s programme from Indira Gandhi National Open University. “I joined this profession to support my family financially and my studies,” Kiran said. She earns an average of almost Rs 4000 per month. She said that she will continue this profession as she wanted to provide the best education to her younger brothers.
Poverty and financial constraints compel girls like Kiran to join such profession. Most of the sex workers come from the lower strata of society. Majority of these female sex workers (FSWs) belong to the age group of 20 to 40 years. Some of them have been in to this profession for over a decade.
Urvashi Gandhi, manager of Education at Breakthrough, a non-government organisation working for human rights said that poverty and patriarchy are the main reasons that propel young girls into this profession. She said: “This can’t be stopped until and unless we are able to overcome these social evils.” Sibghat Usmani, a faculty member of the social work department, Amity University, said: “It is a matter of great concern for India where a large number of its population is unable to fulfill even its basic needs. The girls are bound to get into such professions.”
The relation between poverty and prostitution has long been firmly established. The sooner we accept this, the faster we can approach this problem and eliminate the plight of many women.
Priyanka Sarkar, manager of communication, PACS (Poorest Areas Civil Society) said: “The problem lies in our social structure itself. We need at least 50 years more to overcome these problems and find solutions.”
Neha 36, a sex worker and also a pimp. She has been into this profession for the last six years. A South Delhi resident, Neha has been ostracised by her local community. The neighbours have stopped the water supply to her place and her children have also stopped going to school. The safety of her family has become a major concern.
Everyday is a struggle to live. Rajani, another sex worker pointed out: “My family threw me out after they came to know that I am a sex worker. Now I am remarried but my husband doesn’t know how I make a living.
Faced with nothing but social ostracism, these women are caught in a vicious circle of poverty and shame that only pulls them deeper into the horror of their lives.
Poverty and financial constraints compel girls like Kiran to join such profession. Most of the sex workers come from the lower strata of society. Majority of these female sex workers (FSWs) belong to the age group of 20 to 40 years. Some of them have been in to this profession for over a decade.
Urvashi Gandhi, manager of Education at Breakthrough, a non-government organisation working for human rights said that poverty and patriarchy are the main reasons that propel young girls into this profession. She said: “This can’t be stopped until and unless we are able to overcome these social evils.” Sibghat Usmani, a faculty member of the social work department, Amity University, said: “It is a matter of great concern for India where a large number of its population is unable to fulfill even its basic needs. The girls are bound to get into such professions.”
The relation between poverty and prostitution has long been firmly established. The sooner we accept this, the faster we can approach this problem and eliminate the plight of many women.
Priyanka Sarkar, manager of communication, PACS (Poorest Areas Civil Society) said: “The problem lies in our social structure itself. We need at least 50 years more to overcome these problems and find solutions.”
Neha 36, a sex worker and also a pimp. She has been into this profession for the last six years. A South Delhi resident, Neha has been ostracised by her local community. The neighbours have stopped the water supply to her place and her children have also stopped going to school. The safety of her family has become a major concern.
Everyday is a struggle to live. Rajani, another sex worker pointed out: “My family threw me out after they came to know that I am a sex worker. Now I am remarried but my husband doesn’t know how I make a living.
Faced with nothing but social ostracism, these women are caught in a vicious circle of poverty and shame that only pulls them deeper into the horror of their lives.
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