Bane of Baina

PREETU NAIR
BAINA: "I am scared. Today, poverty and circumstances have forced my sister into prostitution. Tomorrow, my daughter may be another victim of poverty and human apathy," says Rupa's elder sister.

Rupa, 12-year-old, was pushed into prostitution by poverty and circumstances. At 7 am in the morning of June 14, 2004 when bulldozers tore through and brutally and indiscriminately obliterated the homes of people living in Baina, the red-light area of Goa. Rupa was at school. Then she had a hope, a dream of a better future. But a year later, she is now a school drop-out and is coming to terms with her life at Apna Ghar, Merces.

Recalling the happenings of past twelve months, her sister, who is married, revealed how life has changed for the family, especially her little sister. "She was interested in studies and used to go to school regularly. But after demolition, she lost the will to study and used to spend time loitering around with other girls," revealed the dismayed sister. That's the time when a 31-year-old male marauder "befriended" her. He manipulated her situation and got closer to her, while her mother silently encouraged the relationship because the man paid their house rent and also took care of their other financial liabilities.

"My mother, who worked as a sweeper in a government organization, encouraged Rupa as she was in a financial mess," Rupa's sister added.

Rupa is not the only girl who has been pushed into prostitution by her mother. There are many like her. Living in comfort, probably we have never asked ourselves, "What does a woman do when she is denied basic humanity? What does it mean to become a sexual slave of a man to save your family?"

But many poor young girls in Baina know the answer best. Poverty has forced them into child prostitution. They offer themselves for sex in return for money. Money, with which they can feed their family, pay the house rent.

Another, 13-year-old girl Maya, was forced into prostitution by her mother, who works as a maid. On the first night, she was sold for Rs 5000. Later, she was taken to a hotel in the vicinity where she had a new customer everyday, until she was rescued and put in the State Protective Home.

Shobhna, 16-year-old had everything going her way till the unfortunate day left her without home and shelter. She stayed with her elder brother. "She worked as a rag picker and got involved with a boy. Last time we met her she was pregnant, but she is missing since May 26, 2005. We fear the worst," revealed a resident of the locality.

There may be many like them, children of ordinary parents who worked hard to make both ends meet, but are forced to become commercial sex workers by a responsible society that has turned a blind eye towards them.

(Names have been changed to protect their identities)