The generosity of two young
Samaritans hailing from sex workers community is providing a new lease of life
to the children of sex workers in Garstin Bastion Road, New Delhi, which is a
major red light area in the country.
GB
road has a large and strong nexus of prostitutes, pimps and
traffickers, forcing innocent and vulnerable girls and women for sex
trade. Only 10 % or even less than of the total earning goes to the
victim (sex workers) from which she has to manage her expenses.
While the sex workers are
into their business, their children roam on the road or stay in the dark closed
rooms (that are used for keeping make up boxes or luggages) without going to
school. These circumstances badly impact the access, availability and affordability
of education to the children of Female Sex Workers.
“Children of sex workers
are most often not taken into schools due to identity crisis, as most of them
are not aware of their father. On the other side, even if registered in the
school, children have to face stigma, for the reason that they belong to sex
workers community”, says Raghav, an outreach worker of Pahal project, a day care center that ensures care to the children of sex workers community.
Raghav (21) and Vasim (20) (names changed) hailing from sex workers community underwent this
harrowing experience in school and at work place that hampered their growth. “The
school teachers after identifying children hailing from sex workers background
often tease and black mail them which have impact on their self esteem. It
doesn’t stop here, as the other school kids and parents do the same”, says
Vasim.
Born in GB road and
educated till Tenth standard from ICSE syllabus, the duo did petty jobs in
offices nearby GB road, but they were often bullied by their colleagues due to
their background. “When the colleagues come to know about our identity, they
ask us to take them to GB road for having fun. They avoid us and socially
reject us in many ways thus hampering our growth”, the duo says.
It was around that time
that they came to know about Pahal project, that offers educational and vocational rehabilitation and prevents second generation girls from entering sex work, implemented by Aide et Action South
Asia (NGO). “In Pahal, there are many kids who belong to same community
as us but are innocent children. Then we made our minds, to help these children
get a better future, so that they don’t remain in this dark field”, Vasim adds.
They strongly feel that stigma and rejection from the society should not
stop children of sex workers community from building a better future.
With the kind of
interaction they have with the community of GB road, every day morning the duo
visit the houses of sex workers and bring their children to Pahal center. “As
we are much known to the community, the sex workers have faith and hope that
drives them to send children with us”, says Raghav.
The project has created a
positive and conducive environment for the children in the age group of 0-6
years. “The children are taught poems, basic maths and english, reading books,
singing and rhythmic movements which keep them active and included in the
community that contributes to their physical and gross motor skill
development”, says Vasim.
The children are given
breakfast, lunch, evening snacks every day. Periodic health checkups are also
organized for both the children and their mothers.
Once the children attain
a stage, where they can do things independently, their parents strongly feel
that they must be sent to far off hostels and get a good future. “Many children
in Pahal after attaining six years are sent to government school hostels and
join formal education system as other kids”, says Raghav. The fee is paid by
the single mother and most of the times, the children is never told about
his/her background and remain anonymous, he adds.
By Amoga Laxmi Sukka
The story was featured in ACJ ENGAGE, application, a joint initiative of Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and UNICEF.
The story was published in One World South Asia, that works in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development and human rights. The OneWorld network disseminates relevant and topical information to audiences worldwide on development issues, makes technology work for the people at the grassroots and conducts research on best practices in governance.
The story was featured in ACJ ENGAGE, application, a joint initiative of Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and UNICEF.
The story was published in One World South Asia, that works in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development and human rights. The OneWorld network disseminates relevant and topical information to audiences worldwide on development issues, makes technology work for the people at the grassroots and conducts research on best practices in governance.
