Prostitutes don't want to be treated like commodities

Even as Anna Hazare brings a revolution— raising his voice against corruption—there are marginalised groups who struggle to get their voices heard.

Sex workers from the state gathered in the city for a public hearing on Saturday. Ready to share their experiences, they pointed out how life is not a bed of roses.

They have one appeal to the society — to be treated as a human being and not hold their profession against them. It is like any other work, they said, reasoning that their sex work helps sustain their families.

 “We face harassment from police all the time. They force us to have sex with them, they beat us, and also steal our money,” said 45-year-old Meenakshi, a sex worker.

Forced into prostitution, Meenakshi has accepted it as a way of life. “Working as a construction labourer would hardly feed me or my children. The money I make in this at least helps me educate my daughter.” Sadana Mahila Gumpu held a public hearing, welcoming sex workers from across the state to share their experiences.     
 
Stigmatised for life
Lakshmi, who was a sex worker, now sells flowers. At 65, this is how she manages to sustain herself. “My clients and policemen constantly harass me and misbehave with me,” she said.

Sita, who used to be a sex worker, faced a similar harassment. Married and with a 20-year-old son, she shared her recent experience.

“I with my family went to Tirupathi, and a constable there recognised me and started harassing and abusing me,” she said.

“Even if we decide to start a new life, the society does not allow us to live it,” said a teary-eyed Sita.

She said it pained to see how, even after realising she now has a family, the constable misbehaved with her.

As each of these people shared dark shades of experiences, they shared one bright hope— a better future in which they are respected and treated well, just like the rest of the society.