In a first,budget covers sex workers

There are at least 25,000 sex workers in Gujarat,mostly registered with different organisations working for control of HIV/AIDS.

“It is proposed to give different types of occupational training to the women who are involved in flesh trade… their family members will also be covered so that their social and economic uplift becomes possible. The scheme will be implemented through organisations that are already working in this area and which have sympathy towards such women,” the budget says.

A senior official involved with the issue said there were “no separate schemes for sex workers in the state but now the government has decided to focus on social issues of sex workers along with health issues”.

Under the scheme,they will be trained for an alternate occupation,the official said,adding that every taluka has a women welfare and training centre where sex workers will be given rehabilitation and occupational training.

The state government also plans to start a new scheme called Swadhar Gruh by merging two existing schemes of Swadhar and Short Stay Homes,which cater to primary needs of shelter,food,clothing,medical treatment and care for distressed women.

Gaurang Jani,a sociologist and expert on welfare measures for sex workers,said,“At present,there are around 25,000 sex workers in the state who are registered with different organisations working for control of HIV/AIDS in the state. It’s a very good initiative by the state government,but sex workers should not be made to highlight their identities since 70 per cent of them in Gujarat have families of their own.”

“Many of them return to the same business after getting occupational training. So,the new scheme should help them earn through their newly acquired skills. Sex workers never want their children to be affected by their business. The government should,therefore,focus on better education facilities,loan,scholarship etc.,” Jani said.