Kolkata: Sonagachhi sex workers may opt for NOTA

KOLKATA: Sex workers of Sonagachhi — the city’s red-light district — are set to press the NOTA (none of the above) button in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls unless they receive an assurance from contesting parties that their charter of demands will be addressed. Their demands include access to education for their children, pension, abolition of some clauses of ITPA (Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act), recognition of SRB (Self-Regulatory Board) and recognition of the sex workers’ profession. Unlike previous elections, this time they have decided to exercise the NOTA option unless they are convinced about these issues being included in the parties’ agenda.

“This year we’ve decided to go for NOTA if we see that the candidates are not ready to support our demands,” said Kajal Bose, secretary of Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, an organization that works for the sex workers’ health, security and rights.

Executive members from 48 branches of the organization, including the seven prominent red-light districts of Kolkata — Kidderpore, Bowbazar, Lokhar Math, Kalighat, Ultadanga and Chetla — had several meetings recently. Their priority is their charter of demands. Once the draft is finalized and approved, print-outs will be distributed among general members. A group of senior executive committee members will then meet candidates from different parties with the charter and have discussions over the issues to gauge if they are willing to support their demands. Sex workers meet several times before every election to prepare their wish-list which is routinely presented to the candidates during campaign.

Situated in the Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha constituency, Sonagachhi houses nearly 11,000 sex workers. The number of voters is around 33,000 here.

But Sonagachhi residents are not willing to buy empty promises any longer. “This year we’ve already prepared our charter of demands. The All India Network of Sex Workers with its 84 branches across the country will place it to the candidates,” said a sex worker.