State sets an example,gives sex workers,transgenders full attention in draft policy

“It is for the first time that the policy has considered issues and opinions of these most marginalised people who suffer exclusion,” state officials said.

Women and Child Welfare Minister Varsha Gaikwad had included representatives from the sex workers and transgender communities in the drafting committee of the policy and asked them to give their recommendations. Members of sex workers organisations from Pune,Kolhapur,Parbhani,Sangli and Mumbai participated in a series of meetings and give their views.

Vaishya Anyaya Mukti Parishad,Varangana Sakhi Sanghatan,SETU and Aastha Pariwar were some sex workers groups that were part of the committee. The process of getting the committee members together and drafting the recommendations of sex workers was facilitated by the Centre for Advocacy and Research. Laxmi Tripathi,transgender rights activist,worked out the recommendations for welfare of the transgender community.

Annu Swamy,member of the drafting committee on sex workers,who is working with Aastha Parivar,a sex workers’ collective,said there was a need for a larger political and societal will to translate all the commitments made into reality.”

Citing stigma and discrimination as major obstacles in the path of these groups to accessing health services,the policy calls for sensitization of doctors,paramedics and hospital staff on issues of sex workers and transgenders, besides consistent training and updation of knowledge on HIV and creation of a grievance redress cell in every hospital to record community complaints and take action.

To ensure children of sex workers,and children belonging to the transgender community get access to education in a stigma-free environment,the policy relaxes requirements of documents needed for school admission and stresses gender and community sensitization of teachers and school and college authorities. There is a provision of scholarships,nutrition support and shelter homes for these children.

The policy,while recognising and respecting rights of sex workers and transgenders during police raids and rescue operations calls for decriminalisation of sex work and sensitization of police to adopt a “sensitive approach” to the community. The policy also mentions that these communities should be provided legal support.

In fact,on rescue and rehabilitation of sex workers,the policy suggests that the issue be looked at in a holistic manner so that state actions do not add to the miseries and violence suffered by them.