Drop-in Centre launched to make sex workers self-reliant

Giving details about the initiative,Yuvsatta Coordinator Parmod Sharma said besides the activities and programmes of condom promotion,STI treatment and regular medical check-ups,they were also motivating FSWs for voluntary blood testing to know their HIV status.

A partner identification programme is also on the cards.

Dr Dazy Zarabi,programme coordinator from Regional Resource Centre,Panjab University,inaugurated the centre.

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While addressing the women present on the occasion,she said the need of the hour was to knit all the marginalised women by way of active and vibrant self-help groups,for development of skills and abilities,in order to increase their income,savings and consumption expenditure.

The Drop-in-Centre would have qualified doctors and counsellors and would provide a platform to FSWs to air their grievances as well as provide them with security.

The aim is that with the development of economic opportunities for women and their ability to take collective action,there would be a significant decline in gender-based problems.

Also present on the occasion was Pooja Thakur,president of Chandigarh Network of HIV Positive People,who said that the centre can work to increase the self-reliance and confidence of women in order to improve their ability to mobilise various public services for their benefit.

Several FSWs,while sharing their experiences,said some of them have been involved with self-help groups earlier. Some have even opened shops and earned profits through sale of various commodities. Loan facilities are also available to support the cause.