Red Light Despatch

APNE AAP WOMEN WORLDWIDE AN INITIATIVE TO END SEX TRAFFICKING RED LIGHT DESPATCH

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 RELEASING SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM MUMBAI, DELHI, 2 OCTOBER 2006 KOLKATA, AND FORBESGUNJ (BIHAR)

NUTT COMMUNITY ISSUES HISTORIC DEMANDS by Mohammad Kalam FORBESGUNJ, OCT. 2: In the have repeatedly faced dis- profession as we are. wake of the recent ITPA placement, due to which Even after Independence, amendments, the women of the our development and our our situation has not Nutt community in Forbesgunj, children’s education have changed. We have not Bihar—nearly all of whom are constantly been at risk. For gotten any government forced to make their livings our survival, we are forced facilities or oil rations. through prostitution—have to travel from place to We keep submitting ap- issued a historic petition, articu- place; which has had a bad plications under the BPL lating their views and demands, impact on our children’s scheme, but government to the District Magistrate of education. We want a bet- officials only say to us, their area. Though it has never ter tomorrow for our chil- “Why do need this?” done so before, the year-old dren. We are struggling Every year, our houses IT IS A MATTER OF BITTER mahila mandal, organized under hard for our survival. We are ruined by floods, but SHAME AND SORROW DEEP HUMILIATION THAT A NUM- Apne Aap Women Worldwide, are constantly facing threats we do not get any bene- BER OF WOMEN HAVE TO SELL has come forward boldly to say from the local community fits because officials did THEIR CHASTITY FOR MEN’S the following: and government officials. not include our names LUST. MAN, THE LAWGIVER, We kept ourselves separate under any scheme. We To the District Magistrate: WILL HAVE TO PAY A DREAD- from the main community, do not even have toilets FUL PENALTY FOR THE DEG- Respected Sir, but now people from the in our community. RADATION HE HAS IMPOSED community have sur- UPON THE SO-CALLED We are the people in the red- Due to these circum- rounded us and they blame WEAKER SEX. WHEN light area of Forbesgunj. We stances, we are request- us for being there. How WOMAN, FREED FROM MAN’S have been living here since the ing you for the following: SNARES RISES TO THE FULL long must we suffer in this , times of our fathers and grandfa- 1. We want our children HEIGHT AND REBELS AGAINST way? We do not want our thers. For over 40 years, we MAN’S LEGISLATION AND IN- children to be in the same Contd. on page 8 STITUTION DESIGNED BY HIM, HER REBELLION, NO DOUBT KHIDDERPORE, OCT. 2: MY DREAMS paddy field. There will be a NON-VIOLENT, WILL BE NEV- The place where I will wide road in front of my ERTHELESS EFFECTIVE. settle down in the future is bloom. There will be a pond house. I will have a parrot, a -MAHATMA GANDHI my native place in the a little way from the house. dog and a mongoose at home. Sundarbans. I want to It will be full of lotus leaves Birds will nest in the trees. A and flowers. Ducks will build a house there and river will flow at a short dis- A2W2 Main Office live with my parents and swim in it. Beside the pond, tance from the house. Fisher- Himadri Building grandparents. There will there will be coconut tress men will catch fish. There 22, Ballygunge Park Road be large trees with fruits. I laden with fruits and date will be trees along its banks. Kolkata—700019 will plant saplings in the palms. And I will have a few banana trees behind the by Shehnaz, 13 Phone: +91 33 32511503 garden in front of my E-mail: [email protected] house. Flowers will house. There will also be a www.ApneAap.org PAGE 2 RED LIGHT DESPATCH

INTERVIEW

“I FEEL VERY SCARED WHEN DRUNKS COME.” :BEENU (PROSTITUTED WOMAN ) by Tinku Khanna

FORBESGUNJ, OCT. 2: Q: How long Q: What kinds of men come here? you lose weight. I am not HIV- have you been here? A: Almost three A: No one tells the truth about himself, so positive. and a half years. I don’t know. So many different kinds of Q: What physical ailments are men. Many drink alcohol before coming Q: Where were you before this? A: you suffering from? A: My back here. Some want to have kinky sex. They Bhangar, in South 24 Paraganas, with my and limbs ache – especially before behave horribly if you refuse, they hit you parents, two brothers and two sisters. My New Moon and Full Moon nights. and bite you. Those who drink too much father was a framer. I went to school till Previously, I used to suffer from high before coming here, misbehave. Some- the third standard. I didn’t like studies. I fever from time to time. I went to the times they come here drunk and create a used to play around. My folks wanted me doctor at the TB hospital in Bhangar. I ruckus. to study – everyone in my house is literate. was told I was fine. I was given an And then I was married away… ointment and tablets. I took them. I also have diarrhoea. We don’t have Q: How did you come here after many addictions. We just drink alco- that? A: I was 13 when I was married and hol. Sometimes I drink alcohol, some- had a child the same year. After keeping times I smoke. My health is fine. house for three years, my husband threw me out. I returned to my parents’ place, Q: What are your dreams? A: I with my kid. But my parents pestered me feel frustrated. Previously I used to get to go back to him. Leaving my kid with my this feeling very often that there’s no mother, I went to Sonarpur because I use going on living. Now I don’t get it wanted to work as a domestic servant. The tools of the sex trade. so much. Once, I took poison. The There a girl befriended me, made me un- last time I tried to put my head on the conscious with drinks and drugs and railway tracks, but then I thought who Q: Can you refuse a client if you are brought me here. When I gained con- would take care of my family if I died? very tired? The client is in a sciousness and the effect of the drugs wore I am not very hot tempered. But ear- drunken state? The client wants you off, I realized I had nowhere to go. My lier, I used to feel angry very often. to do something you are not willing parents did not want me, my husband did Now it has subsided. I sit quietly in my to do? A: NO. I will starve or the owner not want me- I had no education and no room till I cool down. I have seen a will beat me. skills. I had a son to look after. few girls here slash their wrists. Then I Q: Are you afraid of being mur- cut myself twice and saw the blood Q: Are you able to support him? A: dered or seriously injured by your ooze. But then I thought there was No. I started working the day after I came client?A: I feel very scared when drunks little to gain from cutting myself. Ear- here. But for the first six or seven months, come. lier I used to feel very afraid – of light- the girl who brought me here took all the ning, strangers. Sometimes – I wake money. About seven or eight men would Q: Have you ever been raped? A: up thinking who wants to stay on buy my body per day. Now it has come No, how can a prostitute be raped? here? But what will I do then? I want down to about two. The rate is Rs 50 per Q: Can you refuse a client if he to educate my son, so I have to earn ejaculation, and Rs 200 if the client stays money this way. I cannot resume stud- for the night. I used to earn a minimum of doesn’t use a condom? A: No. Few ies; I cannot concentrate for a long Rs 200 and maximum of Rs 500.Now I people agree to use a condom. And if they time. But it would be nice if I could earn about Rs 100 a day. Of this the don’t, I cannot force them. learn some handicraft. brothel madam keeps half and I have to pay Q: Have you had any diseases? A: about Rs 10 for food and then I spend Rs Once I had white discharge. You get it Q: Do you have any questions? A: 15-Rs 20 on medicines, tobacco or alcohol. when your body gets heated. You should Why have you come here? I save about Rs 600 a month, out of which I have cold drinks to cool you down. I’ve Note: Within this issue, the names in all per- have to buy clothes and makeup. I can send heard of AIDS but I don’t know what it is. sonal stories and interviews have been changed only Rs 200 a month home for my son. I know that your health deteriorates and to protect the identity of the individual. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3

ARE WOMEN IN RED-LIGHT AREAS GUINEA PIGS FOR MUMBAI COPS PHARMAS? ARRESTED IN KOLKATA From The Asia Times with input from Janaki Dubey From The Telegraph with input from Sraboni Sarkar KOLKATA, OCT. 2: India in- formed, non-consenting peo- often unable to distinguish creasingly emerges as a pre- ple who have few choices in between trials that might KOLKATA, SEPT. 14: Seven ferred destination for out- life and many in the country's benefit them and those that Mumbai police personnel sourcing clinical trials - testing won’t. India has huge num- were arrested in Howrah on of new drugs on humans - the “WE JUST SIGN bers of sick people glad to test September 14 after they country may also be heading BECAUSE I BELIEVE drugs in return for minimal, if failed to explain how one of toward providing the greatest THE DOCTOR TAKES any, recompense. The pa- the six girls they were sup- source of human guinea pigs THE SIGNATURE TO tients rarely mind — to posed to hand over to a for the global drug industry." HELP US. THAT'S WHY them, experimental health- home in Liluah went missing By 2010, some estimate there I SIGN IT.” care is better than none at all in transit. will be two million patients in -AMBU — and they rarely complain. The seven, including four India on clinical trials. An en- According to Monthly Index lady constables, have been tire industry has sprung up, large poor-patient population of Medical Specialties in In- charged with dereliction of specializing in recruiting pa- are "treatment naive", which dia, an independent pharma- duty and suppression of tients and managing experi- means they have never re- ceuticals journal, more than facts, following a complaint ments. A BBC investigation ceived drugs for treatment - a 400 women who had been lodged by the authorities of into the conduct of these trials fact that simplifies patient trying in vain to conceive the state-run Liluah Home has found that some patients enrollment and trial manage- were enrolled in 2003 with- for Destitute Women. are unaware they are being ment. out their knowledge or con- “After interrogation of the experimented on at all. The The Indian Journal of Medical sent to take part in clinical seven, it clearly transpired drug industry is enrolling unin- Ethics reports that patients are Contd. on page 9 that they had failed to carry out their duty of bringing back all the rescued girls safely to the home. Besides, they had tried to suppress UN REPORT CALLS ON STATES TO TARGET DEMAND the fact that one of the girls by Ruchira Gupta had gone missing from their custody,” said Howrah su- NEW DELHI, OCT. 2: The 2nd that leads to trafficking,” the sexual exploitation. perintendent of police annual report of the UN Spe- Special Rapporteur has writ- The 2006 report of the Special Neeraj Kumar Singh. cial Rapporteur on the human ten a rich report addressing Rapporteur on Trafficking Investigations revealed rights aspects of victims of key aspects of the demand. In develops the standards en- that the personnel were on trafficking in persons, espe- addressing the demand, she shrined in the Palermo Proto- their way to Howrah along cially women and children, has reminded us that the 3 col on Trafficking, Article 6 of with the six girls rescued Sigma Huda released in 2006 pillars supporting trafficking the Convention to Eliminate from Mumbai. The magis- has targeted the most invisible are the buyers, the bought Discrimination Against trate of a court in Mumbai aspect of the trafficking chain, and the business, and that all Women (CEDAW), and the had ordered that the girls, which is the demand. three need to be emphasized 1949 Convention for the Sup- who were staying in a shelter Prompted by Article 9.5 of in considering the human pression of the Traffic in Per- for women in the city, be the Palermo Protocol that rights aspects of victims of sons and of the Exploitation of taken back to the Liluah encourages States Parties “to trafficking. Others. Each of these treaties home from where they had adopt or strengthen meas- She is the first special rappor- underlines that trafficking and gone missing. ures…to discourage the de- teur who has devoted a broad sexual exploitation are intrinsi- According to the police mand that fosters all forms of and comprehensive report to cally connected. The Palermo team, one of the girls said exploitation of persons, espe- trafficking and its link to pros- Protocol emphasizes “a she wanted to go to the toi- cially women and children titution and to the demand for Contd. on page 9 let as the train neared Contd. on page 8 PAGE 4 RED LIGHT DESPATCH

WHO IS THE CRIMINAL? PROTECTING MYSELF From the NHRC 2004 report on by Veena (Nutt Community) trafficking FORBESGUNJ, OCT. 2: Though I was raised dance at small gatherings. We had a very in this place, I have never liked it. I’ve al- hard time for 3 to 4 years. NEW DELHI, 2004: The NHRC’s 2004 ways resented it. I always wanted to get Eventually my husband’s parents came to report details some of the ways in married and get out of this place. I used to know about the marriage and they forced which the victims of sex trafficking tell my mother, “marry me off to anyone, him to get married to another girl. But become criminals in the eyes of the even the poorest man but do not ask me to the day after he married her, he left her law. join the line.” I always dreamt of become a and returned to me for two years. Use of Section 8 over Section 5 of wife and having my own family, but at that ITPA time we were very poor and could not save One day my brother-in-law in came to money for my marriage. My mother & my me and said, “You belong to a notorious An NHRC study shows that during sister, Quresha, insisted that I join the pro- community, but we are from a respect- the six-year period of 1997-2002, Goa fession. I was 10 or 11. able family, so we plead with you to leave had 100 % conviction under Section 8 my brother. He has got married again to a I told my father that, even if I have to join respectable girl. I will give you 20,000 and nil conviction under Section 5. the line, I will not sell my flesh. I will learn rupees.” I told him, “ Sir, 20,000 rupees This means that all the females who singing and dancing and is a very paltry were arrested under Section 8 have join an orchestra group. A child’s view of life in prostitution amount for me. In- been convicted by the courts. He said OK. I was sent stead I will give you to Saharsa, where lots of The pattern in Kerala is not much one lakh rupees, and people from our com- different though there is a noticeable why don’t you get the munity used to live. I improvement. During 1997-98, there other woman married started to learn singing was 100 percent conviction under Sec- off to a nice guy”. He and dancing. But my tion 8. During 1999, out of the con- was resentful towards sister-in-law told me victed cases, 83 % were under Section me. that orchestra parties 8. In the year 2002, out of six cases only get seasonal con- Then my husband convicted, three were under Section 8 tracts. “What will you A child’s view of life in prostitution. starting saying that and three were under Section 5. do in the other times?,” “My family is not In Tamil Nadu, the conviction rate is she asked me. lending me any money to start my own business, what should I do now?” I have quite high under Section 8. The per- So they started sending clients to my room, always tried to save a little portion of centage of cases convicted under Sec- even though I never wanted to be in this life. whatever I earned. So I gave him 60,000 tion 8 to the total number of convicted I would plead with the clients and tell them, rupees to start his own business. He cases during the six year period in “I do not like all this. I want to sing and started a medical supply business with Tamil Nadu is as follows: 85 % in dance.” If the clients did not listen to me, I 60,000 and now he earns lakhs or mil- 1997, 58 % in1998, 89 % in 1999, 86 used to run away or rebel against them. But lions. % in 2000, 89 % in 2001 and 90 % in how long can you resist clients in such a 2002. place like this? Now my father-in-law and brother-in-law have come here and asked me to go and Then I came to Patna with an orchestra Higher rates of arrest for women stay with them and live in their house. group. There I met a friend of the owner of than men My husband has also asked me to go and the orchestra group I used to work for. He live in their village, but I have said that I In Mumbai, cases are registered u/s was handsome and very different from the will go only on two conditions: 1. You 110 Mumbai Police Act against persons others. Soon he fell in love with me and have to get Rani married off in an elegant suspected of various offences like pub- proposed to me. I also fell in love with him, way, and 2.You have to register 50% of lic nuisance, etc. However, a large but I was afraid that he would never get your earnings and your property into my number of cases registered under this married to a girl like me. But he insisted, so name! I have three children and he has section are against persons on charges we got married in a temple in Patna. two more sons from the other marriage. of ‘soliciting’. During the year 2002, Soon I got pregnant. At that time he was If something happens to me, or to him, Santa Cruz Police Station had regis- studying, so we had no money. I explained what will happen to my children? After tered 1201 cases u/s 110 Mumbai to him that since I was pregnant no one all, I’m a mother. I have to think about Contd. on page 9 would ask me to perform. I used to sing and their future. Am I wrong? VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 5

MOVIE REVIEW: EDITORIAL: THE RIGHT NOT TO BE A PROSTITUTE CHINGAARI by Ruchira Gupta Adapted from indiafm.com by Manisha Munshi NEW DELHI, OCT. 2: As an or- choice is not a notable factor in brothel madam to keep half of ganization, Apne Aap wants these girls’ lives. what they earn. Memories of In Chingaari, her latest women to have the right not to home become hazy due to re- attempt, Lajmi travels to The first five years (Age 15- be a prostitute. Apne Aap mem- peated violence and psycho- the heartland of India and 20): In this period, girls who bers reject initiatives that argue social trauma and they begin to presents the story of a have been kidnapped, stolen, for the “right” to be a prostitute, suffer from the Stockholm syn- tricked, sold, and lured are prostitute and a postman. as we believe such initiatives drome, where the small mercies locked up in small rooms with Also juxtaposed with the reinforce patriarchy and limit meted out by the kidnapper seem barred windows. They are only love story are issues that women’s choices. We want of great importance. With chil- brought out by the brothel still plague present-day women to have a level playing dren, suffering from depression madam to serve up to 15-20 India, like illiteracy, sex- field with men, so that women and diseases, they do not see a buyers of prostituted sex every ual exploitation, fake god- can have the same career options way out. At this time, when night. They are served one meal men et al.Chingaari is set and economic opportunities as asked, the women say they want a day, given some clothes and men. to stay in the brothels and not go in Rangpur, a far and for- toiletries, but they are not given back home. gotten village in rural In- Apne Aap members do not use any of the money that the buyer dia. Lalbatti, a red light the term sex-worker, because The third five years (Age den, is the place where they feel that this term steril- 25-30): After ten years of night queens crawl out of izes the coercive and exploita- physical abuse, malnutrition and the dark rooms to make a tive nature of prostitution and drug and alcohol dependency, man's day. makes it easier to ignore the the earning capacity of the Basanti [Sushmita Sen] is violence, trauma, and degrada- women comes down. Buyers of tion that lurk behind the term prostituted sex look for a prostitute, who sells her ‘sex-work.’ They also gener- younger girls. They are allowed body but not her soul. ally do not use the term prosti- to keep all of their earnings but Chandan [Anuj Sawhney] tute because of the stigma earnings go down and the needs is a postman, who along attached with the term. We do of their children go up. At this with letters delivers his not believe that prostitution is time, they want to leave prosti- heart to Basanti. After a profession. It is a forced oc- tution, but don’t have the life- nights of lust, Basanti fi- cupation. We use the term skills or the physical health to nally finds love. Bhuvan “women in prostitution” be- do so. They have no choice. Panda [Mithun Chak- cause we believe that prostitu- Ruchira Gupta, Founder & Ex- The fourth five years (Age raborty] is a demon tion is a condition into which ecutive Director of A2W2 30-35): In this period, the trapped in a man's body. women are forced, and if women have no buyers of pros- He's less of a priest, more women have other opportunities, pays for them. They are in slave- tituted sex, no income; have two of a beast. Villagers wor- they will exercise them. like conditions and have no or three children and disease ship as well as fear him. choice. In every conversation Over a period of twenty years, ridden bodies. They are thrown with them, they talk about want- Wicked as wolf and poi- women in prostitution rarely out of the brothels and end up on ing to go home. sonous as snake, Bhuvan speak about wanting to exercise the sidewalk. They cannot afford extorts money, sex and the “right” to stay in prostitution. The second five years (Age even one meal or even access to a power. The story takes a Those who do often speak in the 20-25): There is a period of so- toilet. They have no options and turn when Bhuvan gets to context of having no other op- cialization within the brothels are forced to die on the streets. know that Basanti and tions and trying to make the best and the women are taught to Under such circumstances, the Chandan are in love. Bhu- of the situation in which they find become dependent on drugs and “right” to be a prostitute is the van eliminates Chandan, themselves. alcohol. Brothel madams also right to a life without choice and make sure that they have one or thus crushing Basanti's What follows is the projec- a life that de-values the self. two children so that the women pride. A wounded Basanti tion, over a twenty-year period, There must be more worthy cannot think about returning declares war... of what life is like for a girl in rights for which we can fight. home anymore. In this period, Director Kalpana Lajmi prostitution. As you may notice, the women are allowed by the Contd. on page 10 PAGE 6 RED LIGHT DESPATCH

SURVIVORS WELCOME ITPA AMENDMENT by Ruchi Sinha NEW DELHI, OCT. 2: In a move that could sexual exploitation. Rama, from the red-light area of Kid- have far-reaching implications for prosti- The Human Resources Development derpore in Kolkata said, “ It is good that tuted women and children, the Indian Ministry's Department of Women and the pimps and the customers will be government recently proposed significant Child Development (DWCD) has ap- arrested and not us. We are only the amendments to the Immoral Traffic Pre- proved the Immoral Trafficking victims; we should be protected, not vention Act 1956 (ITPA). The amend- (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2005. punished. I was 14 when the police ments aim to protect prostituted women Survivors groups of prostituted rounded me up under Section 8, but I and children from exploitation at the women and children have welcomed this had no choice –the brothel madam hands of clients and police. move. Fatima, from the Nutt community would beat me if I did not stand on the Two crucial amendments are the re- in Forbesganj, said: “I am born in a com- street. I am 52 now, but am still scared moval of Section 8, ITPA, which allows munity where prostitution is a common of the police. When I need help, I can- the police to book a prostituted woman on practice. I have seen what helplessness not go to them. They will punish me. charges of seducing or soliciting customers and trauma a woman in prostitution In Mumbai, says Maili, at least 10 in public places, and Section 20, which faces. I know in which circumstances girls are arrested every month under relates to the removal of a prostituted they die. We fully support the penaliza- Section 8 - which the DWCD seeks to women and children from "any place". tion of our buyers, recruiters, and people delete. “It is used extensively to harass Another significant proposal is the inser- who profit off our sexual exploitation. prostituted women and children who tion of a new section 5C, which would, Once they are punished, they will know carry safe sex tools, such as condoms. for the first, time, punish a person visiting they do not have power over us and we "This is a welcome move.” or found in a brothel for the purpose of will be free.

KOLKATA, OCT. 2: Workers in the CHALLENGES FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING WORKERS women have one room anti-trafficking movement face a by Janaki Dubey that must serve all the number of obstacles in their work. purposes of their daily do not want the WIP to become aware of their fundamental rights Aside from the personal challenges lives, so the anti- through NGOs who work in the community, because the balance of tackling the problem of traffick- trafficking workers of power could quickly change away from them. ing, workers must face challenges must conduct meetings These anti-social elements are deadly serious in their attempts in their everyday work environ- and classes in these to control anti-trafficking workers. On the first of September, ments. same places as well. two girls from Kathmandu were brought and kept at a house on In destination areas, it is very The risk of all types of Munshigunj Road, in Khidderpore. Two days later, a police con- difficult to intervene in to the com- infectious diseases is tingent conducted a rescue operation at that house. The police munity and create a space for anti- very high, and the rescued the girls and arrested two female traffickers. On the very trafficking workers, because workers are likely to next day the pimps of the area threatedned an A2W2 worker, the women in prostitution (WIP) fall ill. saying, “It’s better that you all keep silent. Don’t be a police in- find it difficult to trust anyone, Anti-trafficking former, or you will face the consequences.” given their own experiences of ex- work, which is so im- Another challenge in working in the red-light areas is that the ploitation by people they have portant for red-light buyers of prostituted sex, the pimps, and the dadas of the area trusted. Most of these women have communities, is mostly often think that the anti-trafficking workers are WIP, and they ask tightly wrapped themselves in an done out of concern on the worker to entertain them. These incidents are not only em- emotional cocoon; suppressing the part of workers. It barrassing, but also mentally stressful because such men will pur- their feelings of pain and grief and would be irresponsi- posely try to malign the workers. The residents of the area are thinking of themselves as dead. ble, however, not to accustomed to using abusive verbal and body language in their In addition, the area is often mention naïve, not to day-to-day lives, but it can become mentally difficult for the anti- guarded by pimps, brothel owners, acknowledge the very trafficking workers to cope with the environment. liquor suppliers, and other anti- real challenges and Finally, anti-trafficking workers are faced with the physical social elements, many of whom risks that such work challenges of working in highly impoverished areas. These areas have strong connections with the poses for those who are dilapidated, dingy, and unhygienic; with no proper drainage politicians, the police, and the un- undertake it. system, no toilets or bathrooms are available for the WIP. These derworld. These anti-social groups VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 7

SURVIVOR STATEMENTS: RESPONSES TO THE NEW ITPA AMENDMENTS

BHIVANDI, OCT. 2: We are the women of the Bhivandi red-light area. Here, you KHIDDERPORE, OCT. 2: We, the mostly find devdasi women. Devdasi is an old tradition which is passed from gen- women of the Khidderpore red-light eration to generation. We have been violated time and time again, so we are now area, recently discussed the recent protesting against this tradition. amendment in the ITPA Bill which We want our daughters to have lives free from violence. Our children should was introduced in the parliament, have a better future. Even though this practice has been banned by the govern- where the buyers of prostituted sex ment, you can still find women of the Devdasi tradition in parts of Maharashtra will be criminalized. Women in and Karnataka. prostitution have varying reactions: Many of us who live in Bhivandi have gotten no benefits from being Devdasis. We while many of the aged women want buyers to be punished so that our daughters can feel secure and go to school. (those who are no longer in the pro- Only then can they achieve their hopes and dreams in an independent India. fession) seem to be speaking in fa- We request that you kindly consider our situation and take positive action. vour of the amendment, the younger A2W2 Mahila Mandal, Bhivandi generation (women in prostitution) are speaking against the amendment. Women who support the bill A drawing strongly feel that the criminalization by Sapna, of of the buyer will lead to a reduction the Bhivandi of trafficking and sexual exploita- red-light tion. Some argue that buyers of area, depict- prostituted sex need to be criminal- ing the natu- ized but the pimps, the traffickers, ral beauty madams and the brothel owners of her sur- should also be penalized. roundings On the other hand, many of the and her hope prostituted women, especially those for the fu- who have children, strongly oppose the amendment. One woman from ture. Khidderpore, who has three children in A2W2 classes, says, “If the buyers FORBESGUNJ, OCT. 2: The undersigned represent a diverse group including Survi- are criminalized, then what will hap- vors of Prostitution, Voices of Members of Nutt Community, Forbesgunj, tradi- pens to me? Who will give me food tionally engaged in inter-generational prostitution NGO’s, Judiciary and Academ- and shelter? How I will feed my chil- ics. They together express their strong support to the Indian government for the dren?...Because of the buyers we are amendments proposed to the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 recently surviving. We have no other options introduced in the parliament as the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Amendment for making a livelihood.” Bill, 2006. As organisations mostly led by survivors of prostitution, which also Despite these differing opinions and provide direct services to women in prostitution, we can attest to the violence and reactions, there is one point of con- harm that are inherent in prostitution, whether legalised or not. sensus among the women. We We strongly support the Indian Governments goals to strengthen its commit- strongly feel that, if the law is en- ment towards protection of trafficked person thereby strengthening its resolve to forced, then the government must the UN protocol. look after the rehabilitation of the Survivors prostituted women, and the educa- Representatives of the Nutt Community tion of their children. Representatives of the Justice System/Judiciary Representatives of NGO A2W2 Mahila Mandal, Khidderpore Representatives of Academia A2W2 Mahila Mandal, Forbesgunj

PAGE 8 RED LIGHT DESPATCH

NUTT COMMUNITY CONTD. FROM PAGE 1 to be in residential schools, so that tive engineer or PHED. We request 12. If some family wants to get out of they can have a better future. you to take some positive action. this situation, what help will you provide them? 2. Training for women and girls so that 7. We are living below the poverty they can be self-sufficient. line, so we want to benefit from the 13. The entire city has electricity, except BPL scheme. for our village. According to the city, 3. Boys and girls, ages 14 to 28, should we should come under the city bill. In get sustainable employment so that 8. We want the benefit of the Antyo- reality, however, we come under the they will not be forced to turn to our day/Annapurna scheme. village panchayat. profession. 9. So that we can start up other work, 14. We want to join in the Nagar 4. We have substandard housing, so our Mahila Mandal would like to re- Panchayat. From the past two years, we we should get the benefit of ‘Indira ceive necessary items on credit. have been working partners with Apne Avas Yojana.’ 10. We should get government bene- Aap Women Worldwide. All our com- 5. Our mahila mandal should get per- fits as members of the Nutt commu- mittee members are equal partners. mission to distribute ration oil. nity. In all of Bihar, the Nutt commu- We request that you kindly go through nity lives in red light areas. 6. In the last 5 or 6 months, UNICEF our application and take positive action. has posted an advertisement regarding 11. We are harassed by the local gun- Apne Aap Mahila Mandal, Forbesgunj. the building of toilets. We submitted das and bosses, so we are in need of the application to the respected execu- one police chowki for our protection.

MUMBAI COPS CONTD. FROM PAGE 3 Te ac he r s work with Bilaspur. The train was moving slowly and she managed to jump out by pushing away one of the lady constables. children at The other five girls in the group told one of the state shelter an A2W2 home staff that the missing girl had been raped by one of the centre. constables. They said that the police had probably abandoned her as they did not want her to tell the truth. “We have spoken to the girls and are probing these allegations as well,” Singh said.

ASK THE DOCTOR CONSUMER HELP by Dr. Rakesh Agrawal by Manisha Munshi

What should I do if I have itching or a How do I get a ration card? You must go the Food and Supply change in my vaginal discharge? White dis- Officer (FSO) of your area, and get application form number 1 (50 charge can be normal, especially before and after paise). Application for new ration cards are accepted from 1 to 15 menstruation, during pregnancy, and during adoles- of every month. The head of the family must fill out and sign the cence. If you feel that your discharge is abnormal form, and return it to the FSO along with 3 passport-sized photo- (thick, excessive, etc.), it is best to see a doctor, if graphs and one of the following documents: rent receipt, electric- possible. Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes; avoid ity/water/telephone bill, house tax receipt, registered deed, power nylon or other fabrics that hold in the body’s mois- of attorney, gas connection receipt, allotment letter from the Com- ture. To prevent abnormal discharge, try improving petent Authority, NOC from the land lord. In case you have but nutrition through eating more protein, more calo- cannot bring any of the documents, the FSO will satisfy himself ries, and more vitamins (especially iron and folic through spot inquiry. If you need to do anything else regarding your acid). In addition, practice good vaginal hygiene, especially when menstruating. ration card , you can find all the forms you need at the FSO’s office.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 9

PHARMAS CONTD. FROM PAGE 3 trials across India to see if a drug called Bhiwandi red-light area. “I had constant filed by the Aadar Destitute and Letrozole induced ovulation. headaches. I went to the doctor. I was given Old People's Home, a Delhi-based A quick survey in red-light areas in tablets. I was just told that the drugs were social organization. This non- Mumbai and Kolkata revealed that American. They used to give me the tablets governmental organization (NGO) many NGOs have participated in the and I used to eat themI am poor and I live in alleged that the two companies had social marketing of drugs and con- a brothel and I don't understand many conducted improper clinical trials ducted clinical trails on prostituted things. The doctors are intelligent. They of Streptokinnese - a new clot- women and girls of female condoms, write the drugs for me so I have to take busting drug used in heart attacks - certain anti-retro-virals and HIV and them accordingly." last November without requisite AIDS voluntary testing kits. Often the In early March, the Supreme Court of India permissions (of the Genetic Engi- prostituted woman or child did not hauled up two top biotech companies in In- neering Approval Committee), as a know they had consented to the trials. dia, the Hyderabad-based Shanta Biotech and consequence of which eight people “We just sign because I believe the Bangalore-based Biocon India, for "openly lost their lives. doctor takes the signature to help us. conducting illegal clinical trials of new drugs That's why I sign it,” says Ambu, in the on unsuspecting patients" after a litigation

WHO IS THE CRIMINAL? CONTD. FROM PAGE

Police Act and arrested 1219 persons, the arrested persons were females who had reveals that among the arrested all of whom have been convicted. been charged with ‘soliciting’. The unusually persons those falling under the age Though the break-up of the arrested high percentage of arrests of women is a group of 18-30, followed by 30-45 and convicted persons for the entire manifestation of gender bias in law- years and then 45-60 years account year could not be obtained, the data enforcement. for the maximum arrestees under received from the DCP, Mumbai, the crimes listed above. Only Child Higher arrest of children and youth shows that in January 2002, when 124 Marriage Restraint Act and the than adult trafficking kingpins cases were registered u/s 110 Mumbai Indecent Representation of Women Police Act, leading to the arrest of 124 The data received from the states of the (P) Act show a slight variation with persons, this included 96 women who NHRC study shows that of the arrested per- 30-45 years taking the lead fol- were arrested as ‘prostitutes’ for sons, a large number is that of children less lowed by the age group of 18-30 ‘soliciting’. This shows that 77.4 % of than 18 years of age. Crime in India data and then 45-60.

UN REPORT CONTD. FROM PAGE 3 comprehensive international approach not be on the victim to prove she was teur’s 2006 report emphasizes that in the countries of origin, transit and forced. the consent of the victim cannot be destination that includes measure to The Special Rapporteur’s report underscores used as a defense for traffickers. prevent such trafficking…” The Special that the definition of trafficking in the Pal- The report of the Special Rapporteur Rapporteur’s report underlines the re- ermo Protocol helps insure that all victims of on Trafficking addresses the primary sponsibility of demand countries, or trafficking, not only those who can prove reason for which women and chil- countries of destination, to discourage force, will be protected. Art. 3b of the defi- dren are trafficked, i.e., for prostitu- the demand -- including by legislative nition of trafficking in the Palermo Protocol tion or other forms of sexual exploi- means – that promotes trafficking. states that trafficking can occur with or with- tation. This focus fulfills the Special The Special Rapporteur’s report ad- out the consent of the victim if any of the Rapporteur’s mandate, which men- dresses a key human rights aspect of means in Art. 3a, such as force, deception, tions that the majority of victims are protection for victims of trafficking, or abuse of a person’s vulnerability have women and girls trafficked for sex- which is that the burden of proof should been used to traffic. The Special Rappor- ual exploitation. RED LIGHT AREA CHINGAARI CONTD. FROM PAGE 5 by Usha Uthup attempts an issue pertaining to womenfolk yet A kaleidoscope of colours in my mind again. Like Daman tackled issues troubling women, Chingaari travels a similar path, with the Colours colours colours you will find woman seeking justice in the end. To give credit Blue is the sky Orange is the sun where it's due, Chingaari has some brilliant se- Black and Grey is the crowd quences and topnotch performances. But where Green is the grass Brown is the earth Lajmi falters is when she stretches the story end- Pure white is the snow lessly. The romantic sequences between Sush- But tears have no colours as they fall and flood Anuj lack fizz, while a few scenes depicting My hands, which are red, red is the colour of blood Mithun's evil attitude appear fake. In fact, the film The place where I live is called a red light area can easily be trimmed by 30 minutes or so. Do you live in a blue light area? Chingaari serves as a showreel to showcase The place where I live is called a red light area Sush's prowess and abilities. An award-worthy Have you heard of a green light area? performance, Sush's expressive face speaks vol- umes. The outburst sequence in the second half is As I walk down the road, I hear people whispering stupendous. Mithun Chakraborty is in form after a Do you know where she lives? long, long time. The actor gets a role he can sink They pass snide comments and they are so rude to me his teeth into and comes out with flying colors. Should I learn to ignore or forgive? Anuj Sawhney is highly competent. He matches up She lives in that lane, which is really oh so bad to Sush and Mithun at every step. Ila Arun in first- Good people don’t enter that place rate. Anjan Srivastav and Ravi Gosai are adequate. So I try to run away, hang my head down in shame On the whole, however, Chingaari will just re- As tears start to roll down my face main a spark [chingaari], not more.

I wish that people knew that so many of us Stand under streetlights not by choice They have no other means to get a square meal But who would listen to my voice?

I wish I could stop this, get my parents better jobs I know someday I surely will Educate my friends, get them trained in so many other skills Give us a better world I will send an appeal to my honest government We also need to grow up and live healthy lives in a clean and better environment.

Usha Uthup, singer and poet

RLD ASKS: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITES THIS WEEK? WISHES by Kali, 12 Top 5 Movies Top 5 TV Serials Top 5 Songs BHIVANDI, OCT. 2: My dream is to remove my sister, Tai, from this [red- 1. Mughal-E-Azam 1. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu 1. Kajra Re (Bunty aur Babli) light] community. This will only hap- Thi 2. Sholay 2. Lal Dupatta (Mujhse pen when I will study hard and be able 2. Kumkum Shaadi Karogi) to stand on my feet. My sister has done 3. Pinjar a lot of things fro me, for my happiness. 3. Bhabhi 3. Dil Ke Armaan (Nikaah) 4. Guide Now, it’s my turn to give back, to 4. Kasauti Zindagi Ki 4. Rang Barse (Silsila) make her happy. I know what trouble 5. Maherchi Sadi she has undergone to make me happy. I 5. Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki 5. Barbaad Mohabbat Ke want to move Tai from this community (Anmol Ghadi) and give her a nice place to live.