Sex Workers | Right to Life with Dignity? - Page 3

I like that all of us are on the same page when it comes to calling out the blatant hypocrisy and double standards of the Indian society, legal system, and movie/iTV industries. Fair enough. But what can we do now to support them is something I feel has been missing so far. What is our sense of accountability when seeking to take action for the benefit of these sex workers? Most rescued survivors talk not about what people think (they have almost become numb to it after years of the emotional/mental/physical torture), but wanting to live more freely and independently and make use of their art to continue to earn money without being compelled to sell their bodies again. Many of these women join sex work out of desperation for money, as a result of illegal trafficking and not out of choice, and have been abused to the level of even calling themselves insane for not being able to fight the system and sexual exploitation. Truly angers me and hurts my soul to hear such horrifying accounts.

In such a scenario, the best way forward is to upskill the sex workers with basic livelihood skills in their area of interest i.e handicrafts, basket making, and goods that can be sold through online mediums that do not reveal the background of the artist if they so choose that (for dignity purposes); digital and financial literacy skills for them to be able to find internships and employment in remote and WFH jobs which do not pressure them to have to force a sudden integration into society and give them the space to be themselves too, and/or if they want to continue with dance or similar art, to help them to set up a social media channel (Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch) where they can showcase their talent. Care has to be taken to shut off the comments and restrict DMs in the short term, but it is helpful if managed well. Fundraisers on portals like GiveIndia, Milaap, Ketto are also helpful to procure raw materials for such initiatives. It is a workable solution that has helped to safeguard the interest of sex workers in real life.

And yes, we must reach a point where sex workers are not shamed for their past, and do not have to hide themselves, however we must also acknowledge the current circumstances are not ideal, and do what is best till we are in a place with enough people fighting for the cause, where are able to better advocate for it. Ultimately we need more behaviour change sessions to educate and sensitise others and hope to create atleast a handful of organisations where they can find their voice. I'm obviously not saying we need to settle, but we need to be realistic and account for the present, before trying to make the future better.

Thank you so much for sharing your expert perspective.

Respect for current and former sex workers' privacy and anonymity isn't a compromise; it would be valuable even after reaching the societal goal of not having to hide.

Originally posted by: Satrangi_Curls

I know it's not only women, but in India, male prostitution is completely illegal. And society doesn't really care what work "men" do.

It is amusing how even after 2 decades of 21st century things that should be normalised aren't. And if the current generation tried to do it, we're called "immoral" and besharam

Also, we need to stop using 'sex worker' (and any synonyms and euphemisms thereof) as insults. If we're looking to normalise sex work as a legitimate profession and to advocate for the safety and dignity of sex workers, shouldn't we also ensure their professional title is not used derisively and speak out if we see or hear it happening?

If someone calls me a doctor/ lawyer/ engineer when I'm not associated with any of these professions, I'd be taken by surprise and correct the person addressing me -- nothing more and nothing else. Why, then, should sex worker be an insult? The social implications of the word are misogynistic and intended to insult women. It isn't something we should encourage or give in to.

Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour

I'm going to be honest about my prejudices. I think that whether a married/committed person sneaks off to a paramour or to a sex worker, that's deceitful adultery, similar to pollution of marriage/family. The spouse/partner who thinks the marriage/relationship is monogamous is being violated every time the married/committed couple has sex with one partner withholding information that would affect the other partner's consent and use of protection. An innocent person can get STDs or lice from a partner going to a sex worker, and regulations don't mean zero risk.

It is entirely the married person's fault, but someone who participates in deceit is not blameless. I don't think "sex work is my job" or "I don't ask if my sexual partners are married" are excuses.

I understand that sex work can benefit a client's self-esteem. It doesn't have to be exploitative or deceitful or unhealthy. I want sex work to be legal and regulated and sex workers to be protected and healthy, but I don't have to call sex work respectable.

I am in favour of public health and personal accountability, that's all.

Would it be possible for a sex worker in India to ascertain whether a client is married or in a relationship?

Originally posted by: HereAsMyself

Would it be possible for a sex worker in India to ascertain whether a client is married or in a relationship?

They might not even want to lose income by asking the question and turning away clients who say yes. I understand desperation, and weighing it against harm to the person being deceived, I don't consider sex work inherently respectable.

Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour

They might not even want to lose income by asking the question and turning away clients who say yes. I understand desperation, and weighing it against harm to the person being deceived, I don't consider sex work inherently respectable.

Who is the person being deceived? The person whose spouse is hiring the sex worker, or the sex worker who has no idea (and often has no choice) whether they're entertaining a married client, a client with STD, etc?

Plus isn't respectability in many ways subjective?

Yes, respectability is subjective. Two people can be victims of the same sexual partner. Being a victim doesn't make a person respectable.

As an analogy, a bigamist's new spouse doesn't get to claim a respectable legal marriage, even if s/he didn't know about the first spouse. The law provides punishment for both offences, but the first spouse is considered a victim regardless of the new spouse being a victim or an accomplice.

Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour

Thank you so much for sharing your expert perspective.

Respect for current and former sex workers' privacy and anonymity isn't a compromise; it would be valuable even after reaching the societal goal of not having to hide.

I am not an expert at all tbh, neither was I intending to sound like one, when I still have a long way to go in making any change whatsoever. I was merely adding to the opinions of the others in this thread, who brought up very valid facts. The legal system here is absolutely messed up on a lot of accounts, and there is a lot of cleaning up to do. But what about the sex workers in the meantime? Bhashanbaazi se pet toh bharta nahi hai. Not meant for the ones on this thread, but in general, a lot of people discuss issues on social media and give intellectual opinions, but give them a PIL to sign and you will find excuses. That makes me even more frustrated about such ordeals. Citizens also love to treat communities as a joke when convenient, especially when they do not have to live with the consequences of it. Society will easily subject them to a lived reality where they have to return to the nightmares of exploitation again. As for the privacy and anonymity, unfortunately there are no two ways about it if we want to ensure they get money for their hard efforts they are putting in to rebuild their lives. I have immense respect for their bravery in coming out of their circumstances, and I really hope someday they can tell their story to the world as well.

"PIL" stands for Public Interest Litigation?

Yes. Public interest litigation (PIL) is defined as a legal action brought in a court of law for the enforcement of a public interest in which the general public or a class of the community has some interest and which could have an effect on their legal rights or responsibilities. The term “public interest litigation” was taken from American law, where it was intended to give legal representation to previously unrepresented groups like the underprivileged, members of racial minorities, unorganised consumers, and people who were enthusiastic about environmental issues, among others.

Some of the issues considered in PILs includes:

Bonded labor

Children that have been neglected

The exploitation of temporary workers and failure to pay them the minimum wage

Brutal acts against women

Pollution of the environment and disruption of the ecological equilibrium

Adulteration of food

Preservation of culture and legacy

It has been effective only in some cases, and as it is with other solutions, is also likely to be misused for personal gain, but atleast it is a conscious step taken by citizens to demand for a change in the law.