West Bengal Government to impart vocational skills to sex workers

The West Bengal government will start a livelihood programme this month to rehabilitate trafficked women and sex workers willing to leave the profession.

Under the project christened 'Muktir Alo' (Light of Freedom), the first batch of 50 trafficked women will get training in vocational skills like spice grinding and block printing. "The idea is to train them and give them skills so that they can start a new life. There are many sex workers who want to leave the profession and start a dignified life. We will provide them that opportunity," state Women Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said.

"We have identified this first batch of girls from various homes for women run by us. Gradually even women who are in the sex trade will be able to join this programme if they are willing to leave their profession," Panja said.

The programme will be launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at one of the state-run women homes, later this month. During the course of a nine-month-long training, they will get free stay and food at the women's home besides a monthly stipend of Rs 2500.

After getting trained, the inmates will be provided with a start-up capital of Rs 25,000 if they want to start a small business on their own or through a self-help group.