Sex workers facing huge challenge in getting identity proof to avail social entitlements

A note on the National Consultation around the historic Supreme Court ruling of 19 May 2022 by All-India Network of Sex Workers

***

Over 50 participants including 30 sex workers representing various community-based organizations across 11 states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh who are associated with the All-India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) gathered at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra here today to discuss around the ‘historic Supreme Court Ruling of 19 May, 2022.’ Speaking about the Supreme Court Ruling, Ms. Putul Singh, President, AINSW, stated that it “affirmed that sex workers should be treated with decency and dignity, and the police should not interfere or take any criminal action when an adult engages in consensual sex work.”
Dr Shobini Rajan, Deputy Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said “We have always put the community at the centre when it comes to making decisions related to them. During COVID-19, we worked with the agencies responsible for implementing the Supreme Court Ruling on the ground we also developed a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure distribution of ration for sex workers who were associated with the Targeted Intervention programme across India. The sex workers have demonstrated the community-led HIV prevention programme and facilitated the reduction of HIV transmission. We will continue to engage with them to improve their quality of life”.

This consultation was organized to discuss the concrete efforts to be taken forward with the support of other partners. Representatives from the National AIDS Control Organisation, Delhi Legal Services Authority, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) South India AIDS Action Programme (SIAAP), India HIV/AIDS Alliance and many other organizations participated in this event.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. David Bridger, Country Director, UNAIDS said “Inequalities are still driving the HIV epidemic globally and here in India. The Supreme Court Judgment and directions in India around sex work is a crucial step in the right direction that would contribute to the reduction of inequality and affirms sex workers their right to a safer and a healthier life. Sex work is a human right”.

Dr. Chiranjeev Bhattacharya representing UNDP, India said, “We had closely worked with transgender community that led to development of a framework for the transgender community. This was implemented on the ground through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. In the light of the Supreme Court Judgment, we can develop a similar framework for the sex workers community."

David Bridger, Anand Grover

“Sex workers community have rightly understood the Supreme Court Judgment on sex workers and the issue which is the need of the hour to implement it. While it is not just availability and accessibility of food for sex workers but also access to other social entitlements and citizenship rights including voter identity card, ration card etc. In addition to these, the issue of detention where adults being held without their consent is contradictory to the law also needs to be taken forward by the community” said Senior Advocate, Mr. Anand Grover.
Assuring the support from the system in upholding the rights of sex workers, Mr. Gupta, Delhi Legal Services Authority “Every individual needs to be treated with dignity irrespective of their gender, profession and so on. Sex workers are facing a huge challenge in getting their identity proof which in turn is preventing them from availing basic social entitlements and benefits. We continue to provide legal aid and support for those who are not able to provide proof of identity. We do understand that many sex workers have undergone a lot of violence from different sections including those in charge of law enforcement. There is a need to sensitize both representatives of system and society to stop criminalization of sex work. There is a need to strengthen access to justice” he added.

Comments

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

What Epstein Files reveal about power, privilege and a system that protects abuse

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak* The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is not merely the story of an individual offender or an isolated circle of accomplices. The material emerging from the Epstein files points to structural conditions that allow abuse to flourish when combined with power, privilege and wealth. Rather than a personal aberration, the case illustrates how systems can create environments in which exploitation becomes easier to conceal and harder to challenge.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

History, culture and literature of Fatehpur, UP, from where Maulana Hasrat Mohani hailed

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a member of the Constituent Assembly and an extremely important leader of our freedom movement. Born in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, Hasrat Mohani's relationship with nearby district of Fatehpur is interesting and not explored much by biographers and historians. Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri has written a book on Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Fatehpur. The book is in Urdu. He has just come out with another important book, 'Hindi kee Pratham Rachna: Chandayan' authored by Mulla Daud Dalmai.' During my recent visit to Fatehpur town, I had an opportunity to meet Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri and recorded a conversation with him on issues of history, culture and literature of Fatehpur. Sharing this conversation here with you. Kindly click this link. --- *Human rights defender. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vbrawat , X @freetohumanity, Skype @vbrawat

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

How Budgam by-poll has changed the J&K government’s way of working

By Raqif Makhdoomi* The political landscape in Jammu & Kashmir has shifted markedly since the Budgam by-election was announced. With Aga Muntazir Mehdi now elected as the MLA from Budgam, celebrations continue at his residence as people congratulate him on what many describe as an exceptional victory. He will represent Budgam for the next four years, and his performance during this term will determine his future in the constituency.

NHRC seeks action report on contaminated water outbreak in Ahmedabad

By A Representative The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi has issued notices to the Secretary of the Water Supply Department in Gandhinagar , the Ahmedabad District Collector and the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, seeking an action-taken report within four weeks on allegations of human rights violations arising from a major outbreak of waterborne diseases in Behrampura , Danilimda ward of Ahmedabad city.

Search This Blog