|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
In a less that a square kilometere in Mumbai, in a area called Kamathipura, the city's infmaous red light are, over 25,000 women prostitues ply their trade. They stand in doorways and in caged windows, attracting ther attention of passers by. The cost of a 'performance', which lasts up to seven minutes, is between 25-40 Indian Rupees, which is less than 50p. During my recent trip to India, I visited the area. Only one woman agreed to talk to me provided I paid for her time at Rs.500 an hour, about £6.30. The other were not willing to share their experiences, because they feared that I was from the police. I spotted a clinic that tested for HIV and sexually transmited infections and managed to have a short discussion with the doctor working there. In some rural and poverty stricken areas girls are being sold into bonded slavery by their families to pay off debts. Others are kidnapped or lured away with the promise of well-paid work in the city. Once they are bought into the city, they are kept locked up with little food and with no means of escape. They have no choice, they are forced to have sex with clients to pay for their upkeep and to earn money for their pimp. Often they are forced to drink alcohol to loose their inhibitions. The women do not recevie any money, punters pay pimps directley. They are given cheap and basic food, such a rice and lentils, just enough to survive, which will ultimatley have an impact on their nutrition and health. A client may bring food with him to share with a woman and this is the only time she will eat something different. Women are given clothes and make up by their pimp and encouraged to dress up and look attractive, as this is good for business. Sexually transmitted infections are rife in the areas. Women do not and are not allowed to seek medical intevention until they are no longer able to operate, which places the sexual health at greater risk. At this point, her pimp, or another 'mature' prositue will take her to a doctor but she will not be left alone, someone will always be with her to ensure she does not try to escpae or talk to the doctor about her predicament. Women cannot escape from this plight. They do not have any money of their own, so if a woman did manage to get away she would not get very far. Women cannot return home because of the stigma and shame of the immoral work that have bee forced to do. In time, as women get used to their forced labour, this society becomes their new familiy as they realised that they certainley have no other choices Many women who become preganat will have a termination, however there are some women who choose to thave thier child, which is such a difficult decision for them. If it is a boy child, then this is a chance that he will study but he will face stigmas for this mothers work, however if the child is a girl then she will almost certainly br groomed to work in the sex indusrty. Mumbai's sex industry is tolerated by the police and more recently, the police have taken steps to modify trade. At 12am, the police drive around the area and stop all acitivy. In the past two years the police have clamped down on paedophilia, which was rife, although the are still some very young girls forced to have sex with male clients. I would add that the experience of women in Mumbai's sex industry are not peculiar to them alone. The world over, in different ways and for different reasons, women are being forced to work in the sex industry. Jasvinder
Devgon |
International
Women's Week Organised
by Wolverhampton Women in Celebration. Further information on the
week's events in the city contact Dee Edwards on 01902 711457.
A huge welcome to new staff members: Parvinder Chana, Parminder Soori, Pardeep Ghalan, Linda Jones and Christine Roe.
|
