COVID-19 impact: 89% of Sonagachi sex workers of Kolkata reeling under debt

Kolkata: A survey conducted by the NGO, Anti Human Trafficking Organisation, revealed that around 89% per cent of the sex workers of Sonagachi have now have huge debts due to the ongoing pandemic. Most of them had taken loans as they were out of business.

The survey showed that 73% of the sex workers want to leave this work and look for new ways to earn, but cannot since they have taken loans from the informal sector, especially from brothel owners, money lenders, pimps, making themselves vulnerable to further exploitation.

Home to around 7,000 residential sex workers, Sonagachi is Asia's largest red-light area. Since the pandemic started in March, the sex workers have been out of business. Around 65% of the business resumed since July in Sonagachi.

Tapan Saha, national youth president of the NGO, said that even though the lockdown is lifted now, women are afraid to carry on work due to the fear of contagion. He said this is the right time for the government to intervene and make an alternative plan for them.

A senior official of Durbar, an organization which works for the welfare of sex workers, said that the sex workers have been reeling under immense financial pressure since the beginning of the lockdown.

When contacted Sashi Panja, women and child development minister of West Bengal, said that the state government had extended all sort of help to the sex workers during the lockdown period, including free ration.

The survey suggested that as part of COVID-19 relief measures, the policymakers, along with the support of NGOs, should formulate an alternative livelihood plan for the sex workers to provide relief. This would further help the sex workers who want to start their own venture get access to easy credit, and collateral-free microfinance opportunities.

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