Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030370000800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Sex workers to press for demands

Staff Reporter

TIRUPATI: When the world observes ‘International Sex Worker Rights day’ on Monday, the fraternity in Chittoor district is slated to converge at Tirupati and Madanapalle and raise their voice to press for their just demands.

The day observed on Mar 3 every year did not have its origin in any developed country, but interestingly in our own Kolkata in 2001. The founders -- Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, said to have a membership of over 50000 sex workers, started observing the day as a ‘festival’ by taking out processions stressing for the rights of their members.

The event is observed in Chittoor district by Community Based Organisations (CBOs) working in the area of sex workers’ welfare and their legal rights.

With the aggrieved women of late coming out of their cocoons into the open, overcoming the fear of getting identified and subsequently stigmatized, the event has since assumed legitimacy and the membership has seen a groundswell.

While 250 members are expected to attend the Tirupati meet, it is expected that the Madanapalle meet will draw a crowd double the said number. Madanapalle revenue division has the notoriety of being one of the largest hubs in Rayalaseema from where trafficking of women and girls to Mumbai goes on unhindered. Especially, the thandas in Peddamandyam, Thamballapalle, Molakalacheruvu and Peddathippa Samudram areas are not only vulnerable to trafficking, such incidents seldom see light as they take place with the consent of the parents or the spouse.

The Tirupati meet is set to focus on the milestones achieved by the CBOs. The other issues likely to come up for discussion are enrolment of more members into their core group.