VIJAYAWADA/HYDERABAD: Out of work for over a year now, scores of sex workers across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have suddenly found themselves at the mercy of local moneylenders. Desperate for funds, many have succumbed to these abusive pawnbrokers’ demand for steep interests – up to 45% a month – pledged whatever little valuables they had to loan meagre sums or even given in to their sexual demands.
TOI spoke to at least 12 of them who are battling such harassment every day. With the lockdown bringing the shutters down on their daily trade and financial institutions being out of bounds – because the majority of them have no relevant documents – they say local moneylenders are their only option, ironically, hoping for their regular customers to return to their doors. The many struggles of the job notwithstanding, these women confess that their usual dhanda is monetarily more rewarding.
“At least it saves us from the clutches of these men who like to cash in on our miseries,” said Jyothi*, speaking for her others ‘sisters’ from Yadagirigutta where prostitution is a key trade. Now, with the queue of clients drying up they have taken up temporary jobs – as tailors, house maids, daily wagers – to run their homes and meet medical requirements. But even then, the money is often not enough to buy three meals.
On the other side of the border, in Vijayawada, the situation is much worse for those like B Haritha*. The 37-yearold had to keep her hard-earned gold – worth ₹45,000 – as surety, only to avail of ₹10,000 to run her home. “Though I am paying back the interest on time, the moneylender is threatening to sell off the gold and tell my family that I am sex worker, if I deny him sexual favour,” a distraught Haritha said. Sailing in the same boat is K Nirmala*, 24. Burdened with a loan on a 35% interest per month, she is forced to oblige her lender sexually too, to prevent him from revealing her trade to the family.
CAUGHT IN THE CLUTCHES OF ABUSE
Out “I borrowed 8,000 from my house owner at 45% interest. When I failed to repay, he took away my television and refrigerator. I begged for time but he didn’t listen and insisted on sexual favours. When I denied, he threw me out of the house,” said Karimunnisa* from AP.
Over 300 km away in Karimnagar, even Mala’s* fate has taken a similar turn. “I am trying to look for a new house, but they want an advance and I do not have any money. The little I earn from a house maid’s job goes towards paying for the 30,000 I borrowed from three people,” she said adding, “I can’t even approach my clients as all of them want me to do a Covid test first...I don’t know what to do.”
Though some organisations have stepped forward to help these women with basic necessities, it clearly isn’t enough. “The situation is pathetic. Though we have supported 130 sex workers and supplying ration and financial support for the last six months, this issue will get resolved only when we can find an alternative mode of income for them. The government should support these women and help them establish small shops and provide skill development,” said N Rammohan, secretary of Help an organisation dealing with trafficking victims in AP.
(*Names changed to protect identities of sex workers)