Sex workers daughter brings safety,education,insurance to red-light area

There was a time she had to hide her identity to pursue schooling,but she is now not only looked up to by the sex workers...

There was a time she had to hide her identity to pursue schooling,but she is now not only looked up to by the sex workers she fights for but is also respected by the common public and the government. Today,she proudly calls herself the daughter of a red-light area.

Nasima,28,a social activist from Muzaffarpurs red-light area Chaturbhuj Sthan fought with pimps,police and clerics to convince them that concerted development and special programmes,not ineffective government rehabilitation,was the solution to prostitution. First,it was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who gave her a patient hearing during last years Vikas Yatra in Sitamarhi. Now,the state governments Women Development Corporation (WDC) has accepted her model Hamari Awaz to conduct surveys in the red-light areas of Sitamarhi,Betiah,Kisanganj and Saharsa. Bihar has over 25 red-light areas,home to over 1.5 lakh people of which 60,000 are voters.

We have got Delhis C-Voter to ask people living in red-light areas realistic questions on health,livelihood,job opportunities and special education projects, says Nasima,whose voluntary organisation,Parcham,has already conducted a sample survey in these areas.

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Nasimas concept proposes government welfare projects for sex-workers and their children. She said there was a time a sex-worker used to pay Rs 2,000-3,000 commission to the police to carry on with her illegal trade at Chaturbhuj Sthan. But thanks to her efforts,now every household in the area has phone numbers of all top police officers to lodge any complaint.

Last June,Nasima got IGNOU to open a special study centre at her house at Shukla Road right in the middle of a red-light area. A six-month preparatory course for a Bachelors degree allows even school dropouts to get set for a college education. Nasima,who had discontinued her education after matriculation 10 years ago,is also doing the course.

Among the students in the course is Nikhat,16,who has been made the editor of Parchams magazine,Jugnu. I wish to become a journalist some day, she says. Her friends,Soni and Rinky,went on a special trip to learn the basics of social activism. Other girls from Nasimas team want to become teachers and doctors.

Nasima has also convinced LIC to start an insurance scheme,Jeevan Madhur,with minimal premium for red-light areas. Now,one can seek insurance with Rs 25 weekly premium, said Nasima.

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She has also employed over a dozen women past their trade age. They have been working with the printing press where Jugnu is published from. Some are making incense sticks and bindis.

Another high point of Nasimas struggle is her upcoming marriage to a Jaipur-based social activist. I met him in 2003 at a seminar in Delhi. Our relationship grew and he proposed to me. I wanted him to come to Muzaffarpur to know my past, she said. The boy did come with his parents,met Nasimas mother and said yes.

I have no regrets about my identity now, she says.