Sex work is a rather controversial subject as far as our
country is concerned. A lot of countries have legalized this business and even
recognize the sex work industry. However, in a place like India where people
think twice before doing something (hindered by the thought “Log kya sochenge”),
it’s a far more dangerous subject to breach.
Most sex workers will say they’ve come into the trade by
default, but did not want to get out of the industry later due to the ease with
which you can earn money. According to them there’s lesser skill required and
more money involved. India has a rich history as far as prostitution is concerned,
with kings and emperors having various consorts even after being married. The work
of these prostitutes doesn’t just revolve around sexual activities; there are a
lot of other things they do focusing mainly on their clients’ satisfaction.
Trafficking is a major problem in this industry due to the
illegality of the business. Young girls are kidnapped all over the country and
put into this business by force. What legalizing this profession will do is a
lot of ‘terms & conditions’ will get attached to sex work. For example, to
be a taxi driver, a license is required, a membership with the Taxi Union is
required, a commercial vehicle license is required, and so on and so forth. Similarly,
when a person wants to come into the sex trade, a license will be required, a
health card of some sort and other things just to become a sex worker. That will
make sure the person is coming into this willingly, and also health status will
be taken care of side by side. In a similar fashion, the United States took
care of illegal marijuana by legalizing the drug. There are no health issues
regarding it, and also makes sure users have access to safe strains of the
drug. Just like that, the safety of sex workers and clients will be ensured if
the profession is to be legalized.
All said and done, prostitution is still an illegal
profession in India, and sex workers are usually branded. Countries like
Netherlands where it is legal, sex work is a highly sought after business. Here
are 10 best sites for sex workers.
This website has loads of information
regarding sex work, their legal issues, video tutorials on how to become a sex
worker, brothels you can join among other things. There are also updates on
their upcoming protests and rallies, and even research articles by sex work
activists. However its mainly for European and American sex workers looking for
help.
This one is the Global network of sex work projects
undertaken by the UNO all over the world. It has info regarding all projects
going on globally for the betterment of sex workers while promoting health and
human rights.
This is the Asia Pacific Network of sex
workers. Its just for the continent of Asia, where main members include India,
Indonesia, Thailand among other countries. Similar to the previous one, it will
have information on all the projects for sex workers, but indigenous to only
Asia.
Standing for Support And Advice For
Escorts, this website will have discussion forums warning sex workers about
various sexual diseases, areas or clients to avoid, or even ways to protect
yourself from clients. Furthermore you’ll find ads by sex workers or even
agencies willing to recruit. However, this site is only for Northern Europe,
mainly England.
This site is run by Ashodaya Samithi, a
community based organisation from Mysore, India. They have funding from Avahan,
Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and focus on helping sex workers in Karnataka
with various local, health, legal issues they may be facing. They also work
with Homosexuals and transgenders. So if you’re in Karnataka and have problems
being gay or transgender, feel free to contact them. They have various peer
educators and community counsellors to help you out. Their site is currently
under work.
Durbar is the organisation functioning in
Sonagachi, the largest red light district in Asia. Based in Kolkata, this
organisation has a membership of 65000 sex workers, all registered to make sure
there is no trafficking in their area. This website will list in a detailed way
all their projects and protests to help sex workers, be it male, female or
transgender. They offer medical and even legal help to sex workers on the
eastern side of India.
Stands for All India Network of Sex
Workers, this site is actually an amalgamation of all organisations working in
India for the benefit of sex workers. Its an organisation with a member panel
made up of sex workers, and they are usually selected by voting. They decide on
various constitutional issues regarding sex work. You can contact them for any
help and they’ll direct you to the organisation nearest you.
This website is a help to all sex workers
across the world regarding sexual health. It will give information concerning sexual
organs and various diseases, and will even direct you to the nearest doctor
according to your symptoms.
Run by Yami Gupta, this site will access to sex workers
looking for work, agencies looking to hire, and even clients looking for
specific things. All rates and areas will be listed, and users can get
connected to their desired people.
This website, Women and Child development,
run by the Indian government, started a programme for the welfare and
rehabilitation of sex workers. Logging on, female sex workers can get the
benefit of upto 20000 rupees per month if they wish to be rehabilitated from
sex work.
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