Prakash Kamat
Panaji,March 10- Observing International Women’s Week, Thane,Maharashtra-based NGO Shree Sai Seva Sanstha in Bhiwandi organised an event called “Ek Meri Bhi Kahani” where 35 former sex workers who were forced into sex trade but have now managed to break free and work towards a free life of their choice shared their stories.
Most of them are victims of sex trafficking deceived by external agents for work or sold by own parents. All these women have been supported and provided with an alternative livelihood by Shree Sai Seva Santha.
Shree Sai Seva Sanstha is an NGO based in Hanuman Tekdi, a red light area in Bhiwandi
which works towards providing a better life to the sex workers and their children.
The dignitaries at the event included Mr. Punyarthi from the Social Welfare department of
Bhiwandi Municipal corporation, Ms. Pallavi and Ms. Rohini from the child protection office
and a delegation from Matru Seva Foundation, an NGO focusing on holistic development of
society.
After the pandemic wreaked havoc across sectors, sex workers were left without any source of income as they could not continue the work due to the risk of covid transmission. Shree
Sai Seva Sanstha saw this as an opportunity to help these women who wanted to leave sex
trade and choose an alternative livelihood.
During this time, the NGO also did a survey among 30% of the sex workers in Bhiwandi and
published a report which showed that over 87% of the sex workers wanted to opt-out. In this
event, 35 women discussed how they always had wanted an opportunity to leave sex trade
and Dr. Swati Singh (Khan), founder of Shree Sai Seva Sanstha gave them this opportunity.
“No one should suffer in pain and that is my objective- to bring out my fellow sisters trapped
in the cruel world of sex trade. We have organised this event to bring together a group of the former sex workers who had the courage to take steps to change their lives and will now be
changemakers among other active sex workers. I am just an enabler to help my sisters
reach their dreams. I am creating this platform so that more and more women trapped in sex
trade find the courage to opt-out. This is a great start for us, and we will continue to this
journey together till we reach every women trapped in sex trade. We also plan to engage
with community members and the government to bring a holistic plan for providing
alternative livelihood. We are hopeful that all stakeholders support us in this endeavour,”
said Dr. Singh.
(In continuation of creating this platform, Shree Sai Seva Sanstha and the group of former sex workers have stated that they will continue to work towards ensuring all the sex workers
in Hanuman Tekdi receive an opportunity to leave sex trade and opt for an alternative livelihood. They also plan to engage with administration and elected representatives to
provide alternative livelihood to sex workers).
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