Fresh trade: Now, sex workers in a clean job: An economic rehabilitation programme to provide alternative livelihood options

Fresh trade: Now, sex workers in a clean job: An economic rehabilitation programme to provide alternative livelihood options

Preetu Nair
Goa, India

Wheels of fortune are changing, slowly but steadily for silent, helpless victims of the sex trap woven by a powerful network. There is now hope in the lives of hundreds of stigmatized and marginalized traffic victims who are eager to leave the fresh trade but forced to continue in the “business” due to lack of alternative livelihood options

When Vidya (name changed), was pushed into the oldest profession in the world –- prostitution -- at the age of 12, she had no choice but sell her body and earn a living. The mass demolition of cubicles in the red light area at Baina did not change their condition. It only made matters worse as she now travelled to other parts of the state for ‘business’. She tried for a job but the social stigma attached to her ruined her chances.

On the other hand, Sheila from Vasco didn’t realise when she was caught in the web of commercial sexual exploitation. And by the time she did, it was too late. Her mother due to poverty pushed her into the trade and now uncertain future worried her. She is eager to leave the flesh trade but it is the only “job” she knows is available for her.

Anyay Rahit Zindagi, ARZ, an NGO working for upliftment of trafficked women, as part of its economic rehabilitation programme WISH (Women’s Initiative towards Self Help) has set up a fully mechanised laundry unit “SWIFT WASH” at Sancole Industrial Estate for trafficked victims. This scheme is first of its kind in the state of Goa and is a blend of humane approach with hands on administration. This unit will start functioning from this month.

At the moment the unit has the capacity to provide employment to 40 women only. “We want to ensure that women earn a dignified income, as it is the only tool that can pull them out and plug all entries into prostitution,” revealed Arun Pandey, ARZ.

Arun strongly believes that they can bring about a difference in the lives only with the help of locals, government and civil society, who believe that economic rehabilitation is the need of the hour to rescue women from the flesh trade. “This is a women’s collective and our effort is to ensure that it develops into a full fledged women’s cooperative with trafficked women being the sole owner of the entire business unit,” he said.

This is a big dream by any yardstick. Innovative as it may sound, this experiment in philanthropy may actually change the fate of trafficked victims.