Re: Proposed amendments to ITPA..Where are we heading to ?

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Dear Friends,

Re: /message/7756

The amendments proposed to The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2006

(IT(P)A) comes not purely as a redeemer to the Sex workers, but only very

limited components of it has some effect on the Target Group.

Sex work has been in operation since ages innumerable and has gained notoriety

due to the fast spread of the HIV epidemic. Many agencies believe and think that

by diverting sex workers into other professions, there is going to be some

reprieve. This surely is a long dream. Since the sufferings of the sex workers

are manifold. They strive only by this profession and swerving them away by

putting too many clauses is surely not beneficial to them in any way.

The solution to think of reducing the HIV epidemic amongst the sex workers could

be achieved only by empowering them and not sidelining them. This amendment has

gone off on a tangent in addressing the vulnerability of sex workers, and focus

has shifted from HIV to throwing out the sex workers without any source of

livelihood.

The amendments are entirely not as per the suggestion of the Parliamentary

committee, the beneficiaries views are not taken into account, The amendments

are made in an ad-hoc manner.

The HIV Targeted Intervention programs have been a success and to day we boast

that the incidence of HIV has reduced, this is due to the efforts of the NGOs

who have been working heart and soul with the Target Group, be it the core or

the vulnerable groups. The grey area of this act is going to push the sex

workers underground and hence they will not be able to access the services of

the Targeted Intervention nor any person. Hence whatever was the struggle done

all these years is going to be lost in the melee. No person will be able to

intervene with the sex workers, to promote safe sex practices, since visit to

the brothels or perhaps – place of carrying on sex- is illegal as per the

amendment. Today there is a reduction in STI incidence since the sex workers are

diagnosed in time for the symptoms, with treatment being done and follow-up

being mandatory.

And today we are almost sure that the sex workers understand that a healthy life

is essential and this also indirectly

helps the clients of the sex workers.

Couple of years ago, carrying condoms, was considered as an enticement for sex

work. Advocacy has brought down those views and again after all the hard work we

land ourselves in square one?

Why is the Government acting in a hazardous manner by trying to act as though

they are protecting the lives of the sex workers, whereas in reality they are

abolishing their livelihood. Lets focus on empowering sex workers to lead a

healthy life and not focus on abolishing them and their livelihood.

With hopes of being heard

Ms. Indhu S

Consultant, Chennai

e-mail: <indhu27770@...>