Chennai: Meeting on the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2006

[Guest guest]

Defending Rights, Debating Law: City Meeting on the Immoral Traffic (Prevention)

Amendment Bill, 2006

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) circumscribes sex work;

influencing livelihood, health, risk & vulnerability of sex workers. Last year,

the Government of India introduced the ITPA Amendment Bill, 2006 amidst

opposition from sex workers, women's groups, public health & HIV/AIDS

organisations. A Parliamentary Standing Committee suggested further changes.

The Revised Bill remains contentious; equating adult, consensual sex work with

trafficking & sexual exploitation.

* Should sale & purchase of sexual services by consenting adults be

criminalised?

* Should peer based HIV risk reduction be abandoned?

* Who needs empowerment - Community or Police?

The City Meeting will witness these & other debates on sex work law reform.

Speakers:

* Anand Grover, Advocate & Project Director, Lawyers Collective

HIV/AIDS Unit

* P.N.Shanthi & Kalaivani, Community representatives

* Mohan & Vasau, Community Representatives

* Noori & Jeeva, Community Representatives

* Survivor of trafficking from MCCSS Drop in Shelter

* Ms.Vanitha, IPS, Member, Tamilnadu State Women's Commission

* Dr. Neelavalli, IWID

* Mr.V.Sithannan, D.S.P. & Vigilance Officer, Corporation of Chennai,

Tamilnadu

Date: 4th August 2007

Time: 2 - 5 P.M.

Venue: Asha Nivas, No. 9, Rutland Gate, V Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai

Contact: Esther selvam, ActionAid, (M) 9444951927

Organisers: TASA (Tamil Nadu AIDS Solidarity Action), Action Aid & Lawyers

Collective HIV/AIDS Unit

Tripti Tandon

Senior Technical and Policy Advisor

Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit

63/2, 1st Floor, Masjid Road

Jungpura, New Delhi 110014. India

Phone:+91-11-24377101/02, 24372237

Fax:+91-11-24372236

www.lawyerscollective.org

e-mail: <tripti.tandon@...>