Sex workers rally for their rights in Bangalore

The Sun playing hide and seek, thick clouds threatening to pour down — nothing could keep away 700 sex workers and their supporters from across the state, from Chikkalalbagh in Bangalore on Friday. Nanna deha, nanna hakku (my body, my right), ITPA thegeduhaaki (repeal ITPA) and laingika vrutthi aparaadhavalla (sex work is not a crime) were some of the slogans chanted by members of Karnataka Sex Workers’ Union as they walked en masse from Chikkalalbagh to Bannapa Park, on Friday, to observe International Workers’ Day that falls on
May 1.

Red umbrellas in hand, sex workers posed for the shutterbugs, the camaraderie was there for passers-by to note.

At Bannapa Park they held a public meeting to discuss and create awareness about lives of sex workers, the stigma they face, harassment from police and how they are deprived of even basic entitlements like ration cards, housing, healthcare and voter ID. Besides, their children face stigmatisation at school. They also demanded that the government recognise sex workers and provide full rights and protection as they do, to any other professionals.

Walking together to highlight the cause of their community, sex workers were clear about what they didn’t want. Shouting slogans to repeal the ITPA (Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act), they demanded that the Act be taken out for good. “It is the most misunderstood act,” said E Manohar, social activist, who works with sexual minorities.

He explained that while the act was brought about to prevent trafficking, two sections, 7 and 8, criminalise soliciting in public place. A lot of vagueness surrounds the act leading to harassment of sex workers by the police and goons. Instead of protecting sex workers against forced labour, it acts as a disadvantage and threatens their very livelihood.

Attaching morality to it adds to the stigmatisation and social ostracisation of workers from society.

Helpline for sex workers
A helpline for sex workers was inaugurated on Friday. The idea is simple — sex workers facing any kind of harassment from police, goons or domestic violence and those who need support can now call for help at 9945525411 and 9731018694. These numbers work round the clock.