The Hindu : New Delhi News : A new dawn for sex workers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 02, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

A new dawn for sex workers

By Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI, JAN. 1. For them the beginning of a new year does not bring with it the promise of a new beginning. Living on the fringes of society in Delhi's red light area on G.B. Road, they will always remain forgotten and faceless. But this year a few might actually get a chance to be a part of India at least on paper.

The Election Commission has written to the Electoral Registration Officer of the Paharganj area to make a "special effort'' to ensure that all sex workers are enrolled and included in the special revision of rolls this January. And while they might be a long way from being included in society, they will have a name at least. The letter also mentions that the field staff may be sensitised on this aspect, so that they too can make special efforts.

For activists like Khairati Lal Bhola, who have been fighting to get identity cards for sex workers for the past 40 years, the letter from the Election Commission is a victory of sorts. "I have been writing to them for years. No one really cares about the sex workers. It might be late but it is better than never,'' he asserts.

For their part, the registration officials claim that they have tried before, but without much success. "When we come for inquiry to verify whether the person lives on the address furnished by them, we are told that no one of that name resides there. Then we are forced to automatically cut their name off the list,'' an official explained.

While some brothel-owners have been included in the rolls, most of the sex workers are yet to get this Fundamental Right. However, like everything on G.B. Road, Constitutional rights are just distant dreams and not priorities. And it might take more than just sensitive field officials and committed activists to actually get all the sex workers included in the rolls.

"The problem is that the brothel-owners might not want to let their girls get voter identity cards. They often have no lease agreement with the girls or even proof that they own the place. If they then let the girls furnish their brothel as their address on the card, they will lose the power to kick them out at whim. The girl can also then claim that she owns the brothel, then what will the brothel-owner do?'' asked a pimp.

But according to idealists like Mr. Bhola, this problem can be solved easily. "The girl can furnish her home address as permanent. The brothel address can be her temporary address." Besides, the card will not give her any sort of legal right on the brothel. She will just get an identity,'' he stated.

Unfortunately, there are never any easy solutions or answers for women who live on G.B Road. With some girls living parallel lives for their families, verification by the police in their villages is a risk that they just can't afford to take.

"The last time girls were rescued and sent back home, their addresses were read out publicly in front of everyone. People in the village then knew where they worked and were asked to ensure that they never go back. They not only lost their dignity, but also their families. Parents refused to claim them as their children. Why will they then furnish the right details,'' asked an activist.

However, it seems to be a step in the right direction. A small attempt to give them some tangible piece of citizenship, the voter identity card is probably a beginning. And as Saraswati (name changed) put it: "I want to vote. It might not change things, but it is my right as a citizen."

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