SOCIETY

Sex workers join cleanliness drive in Kerala

     Muvattupuzha (Kerala): Sex workers in Kerala's Muvattupuzha town have joined municipal officials in a drive to make the town completely waste- free. The initiative is also being seen as an attempt to rehabilitate the sex workers. Sex workers are today contributing to the city and towns, whereas in the past, they were ostracized. Eight sex workers have been appointed as 'contingent staff' since 2003. Besides being paid daily wages, they are also provided with a vehicle, plastic drums and uniforms. Households and shops also pay them a small income for collecting the waste. Though they do not earn much, sex workers say they get respect from those who once ostracized them. "Earlier, we used to earn 500 to 1000 rupees in a single night, but in this work, there is very little money and a lot of hard work. But it still gives a kind of security and makes us confident by bringing a big change in our lives. Neighbours have started respecting us. We were not given homes on rent. Now everyone welcomes us only because of this job in the municipality," said Ashwathi P, a sex worker. Applauding the efforts of the sex workers, municipal officials say the idea to introduce them in this clean drive campaign came when the waste management system failed to carry out a 'dream project'. "With this, the Muvatttupuzha Municipality is going to fulfil its dream project of making the town a total waste - free zone in the state. And, I must say that it is all because of dedication and hard work of these ladies. In turn, they also get rehabilitated and start to earn a good income out of it," said Mary George, the Chairperson of the Muvattupuzha Municipal Corporation. The Corporation now plans to provide land and two more vehicles so that a waste treatment plant can be set up on the outskirts of the city where tons of manure can be produced from the waste. As per a study conducted by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society in 2004- 05, about 5,500 women and 3,400 men are `very actively' engaged in the world's oldest profession in different parts of the State.
-Feb 7, 2007    

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