Plight of sex workers, HIV/AIDS, legal systems highlight women’s Day in Dimapur
Temjentula aier
Morung express
Dimapur March 8: The Dimapur District Aids Control Committee commemorated International Women’s Day to celebrate the ‘uniqueness’ of women at the Conference hall (Women’s Cell), East Police Station, Dimapur, under the theme ‘Beyond Laws- The Right to Be’.
The chairperson for the programme was Dr. Lima, Pathologist, Civil Hospital, Dimapur. Monalisa Changkija, Editor, The Nagaland Page shared on the significance of International Women’s Day. She said that the best part of the day was that instead of a single significance there were many that have to be underscored because the day signifies different things to different women, not based on a single incident but based on a constant and continuous experience. “Women look beyond the unnatural and despite the iron bars that women have been in, we have struggled to give in the best at home, at work and to the State. Imagine the world without flowers, music, the rain, the wind, drama- this would be the world without women’, she said. Sharing on various women-related issues, the Editor also said that Sex workers are not immoral but those who force them into it are. “Women are their own mistresses”, she added and therefore this was the day to celebrate their uniqueness.
Bidhu Shekar, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Dimapur threw some light on the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act and also the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He outlined some major forms of crime against women like female foeticide, dowry and sexual harassment, molestation, kidnapping, domestic violence, mental abuse, sexual exploitation for commercial purpose etc. He said that such crimes could be dealt according to the IPC which is all-encompassing.
He also highlighted problems faced by the police. “The law is against prostitution so we face a conflict with them”, he said. “By arresting prostitutes we are taking away their livelihood when it is not forced prostitution, when we release them they dive back into it, so our purpose is defeated”, he said. In his own view he said that prostitution was the oldest ‘service’ industry. With the burgeoning spread of HIV/AIDS, India has almost 5.1 million people living with HIV among which 38% of them are women, according to a study. He further said that in the 2001 census prostitutes were clubbed with beggars, etc. “We should take an example from the West who have legalized prostitution and give it a status of industry. Prostitutes will have a place to stay. They will not be harassed by the police, they will get the license and will have to pay tax,” he said. “However”, he added, “legalization of prostitution might not work in India. They will become more vulnerable to the state”.
Also, K. Ela, Assistant Director, Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur said that as NGOs the objective of these organizations was to check the spread of HIV/AIDS. The long-term objective was community-led structural intervention. She highlighted some cases to ponder on where in a meeting last month with some prostitutes in Dimapur a woman narrated how a policeman forced her into selling her child and in not doing so he threatened to arrest her. In another case, two prostitutes were stripped naked and made to ‘kiss’ facing onlookers. These were just some of the instances narrated by the women in the meeting. There was a presentation which highlighted the ill-treatment faced by them- of how they were tied and beaten, blindfolded and threatened by policemen to pay huge amounts of money. The presentation also highlighted the challenges and obstacles faced by NGOs, the misconception about NGOs from certain quarters and also the misconception that they were the ones who promoted prostitution. It further highlighted the concerns and prerogatives for action like trafficking of women and children, dehumanizing of women, reaching out with services and accessing services available, the need of close network of law, health, churches etc. “Stop the blame game! Let us do away any system that is stigmatizing and discriminating the already ‘Marginalized and Vulnerable’. We need to come out with a solution”, she added.
The programme also had a panel discussion on the presentation and Action Plan. The moderator was Clara Sumi, Director, Akimbo Society. The panelists were Mayang Lima, ADC (J), Obed Quinker, President, Dimapur Naga Student Union and Inatoli, Director of Guardian Angel, Dimapur. The question was based on whether red light areas should be identified. Clara Sumi said that Sonagachi in Calcutta is one of the oldest and the biggest red light areas in Asia and the number of HIV/AIDS cases was much lower than that of Nagaland. She added, “Even if the country has not yet legalized prostitution, we can demarcate an area to let them stay.”
The ADC in regard to this said that the act was made by the Government. “It has to come from the lawmakers. It clearly has to be a local arrangement. In regard to the illegal unauthorized behavior of policemen he said, “I am disappointed to see society to have degenerated. We are going through a transition. He suggested that victims who were harassed should make a statement in front of witnesses, NGO activists and highlight their problems.
Obed Quinker from the students’ perspective said that although their involvement was limited the issue of identifying red light areas, which has been an issue from all platforms would cause crossfire. He further requested the NGOs to consider the advantages and the disadvantages and also take peoples opinions. “The advantages should outweigh the disadvantages”, he added. Inatoli in the same context said that there was a possibility to set up a red light area “It is a difficult task because it is a Constitution policy. It has to come from the centre to legalize prostitution. Sonagachi is not legal but it has been recognized”, she added.
