In a bid to address social evils such as trafficking and violence against sex workers, All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) plans to set up welfare boards across the country for protection of their rights.
AINSW, an umbrella network of NGOs working for sex workers, has decided to constitute these boards which will comprise sex workers, social activists, doctors, legal experts and political leaders as members.
Bharati Dey, representing Kolkata-based NGO Durbar Mahila Samannya Committee which is part of AINSW, told PTI that "such a welfare board is essential in all the states to have a uniform system to look into the issue of trafficking and violence".
Most cases of violence and trafficking happens without the knowledge of the police or the local authorities and therefore, needs to be addressed from people within the community, she added.
According to activist Smarjit Jana, the state police forces in the country have anti-trafficking cells which needs assistance to identify the issues of violence and trafficking, which is where the board fits in.
"Various programmes and schemes that have been developed by different government departments for the betterment of women, including sex workers, were ineffective because they were developed using a top-down approach which did not involve the community," Jana said.
"Our self-regulatory board has rescued both women and minors. We have rescued even 30 elderly women who have told the board that they have been trafficked," a member of the Kolkata-based NGO, said.
