A month ago there was a notice in the Kolkata newspapers saying that the Election Commission was falling short of 20,000 people to help out during the Lok Sabha elections. And so the Durbal Mahila Samawayana Committee which has 70,000 registered sex workers working primarily in the Sonargachi area of Kolkata offered to help by sending out 5,000 of their registsred sex workers to help out during the polls. And in turn all they wanted was a certificate to say that these girls had helped during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
But as it turns out, only Government officials can help out during the elections. So instead of 5000 sex workers, only 6 would be involved by being the contact persons at 6 booths in Sonargachi and informing the Election Commission in case there is any violence or for instance if the electronic voting machines donnot work.
At the end of the day, these sex workers are also citizens of the country who want to do their bit for society. But apart from a chord that touches the heart for a brief moment, what are the thoughts that come to a person's mind when they think about sex workers helping out during the poll process? Does it really go down well with them? If these sex workers had not just helped at the 6 booths in Sonargachi but helped in the other booths acroos the city, what would your reaction be?
One could be of apprehension and shock. But could one also be of empathy beyond just hearing of them helping during the elections? One might argue that these sex workers will not be all that professional and get carried away and solicit clients. But could they also be seen as responsible and know their priorities? Isn't there more to sex workers than selling their bodies?
Many become sex workers out of compulsion for need of money while some are thrown into the dark world of the flesh trade. They don't command respect as a lawyer, teacher or a marketing professional and they have to live with that. It pinches them somewhere, sometimes. And when it comes to them going an extra mile to lend a helping hand, beyond a great story for a journalist, does it help them earn a little respect?
Perhaps just for a moment. And while there are some outspoken sex workers, they are just a needle in the haystack who are still at the end of the day SEX WORKERS ostracized in society. And it's not just in India alone. Their community is looked down upon all over the world even if they were to be philantrophic and perform endless good deeds just like any other human being.
But as it turns out, only Government officials can help out during the elections. So instead of 5000 sex workers, only 6 would be involved by being the contact persons at 6 booths in Sonargachi and informing the Election Commission in case there is any violence or for instance if the electronic voting machines donnot work.
At the end of the day, these sex workers are also citizens of the country who want to do their bit for society. But apart from a chord that touches the heart for a brief moment, what are the thoughts that come to a person's mind when they think about sex workers helping out during the poll process? Does it really go down well with them? If these sex workers had not just helped at the 6 booths in Sonargachi but helped in the other booths acroos the city, what would your reaction be?
One could be of apprehension and shock. But could one also be of empathy beyond just hearing of them helping during the elections? One might argue that these sex workers will not be all that professional and get carried away and solicit clients. But could they also be seen as responsible and know their priorities? Isn't there more to sex workers than selling their bodies?
Many become sex workers out of compulsion for need of money while some are thrown into the dark world of the flesh trade. They don't command respect as a lawyer, teacher or a marketing professional and they have to live with that. It pinches them somewhere, sometimes. And when it comes to them going an extra mile to lend a helping hand, beyond a great story for a journalist, does it help them earn a little respect?
Perhaps just for a moment. And while there are some outspoken sex workers, they are just a needle in the haystack who are still at the end of the day SEX WORKERS ostracized in society. And it's not just in India alone. Their community is looked down upon all over the world even if they were to be philantrophic and perform endless good deeds just like any other human being.
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