Sex workers to turn cab drivers

[Guest guest]

Sex workers to turn cab drivers

As many as 26 women from underprivileged sections of society including sex

workers, embarked on a new profession as cab drivers in the city on Saturday as

a part of an alternative livelihood Programme pioneered by Indira Peer Educators

Collective (IFPEC).

A wing of the Indian Community Welfare Organization the IFPEC is helping the

women take up the new profession with the help of India Positive Network.

Thirty six year old Mathura, (name changed), a victim of trafficking said, " it

is a relief to leave sex work and take up another form of livelihood. My two

sons are growing up and I don't want them to be affected because of my

profession. Initially I was afraid of the traffic on the road but now I am

confident and do not think it's a man's job,' she said. Thirty six-year-old

kanaka has already got a job as a car driver with a house hold. 'A college

professor's family has decided to recruit me as a car driver. I want to make

savings and earn a living that will make me independent for the rest of my

life, " she said saying the first salary she earned through car driving would be

the best in her life.

Malar, a single mother of three children said, " During the 26 days that we spent

with each other we have become like a family. I don't look at sex workers in a

bad light because they face similar problems of abuse and torture like us, 'she

said.

A.J.Hariharan, (ICWO) said the choice of alternative livelihood was entirely y

theirs. " As many may not have passed high school the women came up with many

alternative livelihoods. Car driving was the most prominent among them, " he

said.

Mr.Hariharan said to their surprise many travel agencies wanted women car

drivers, which has traditionally been considered a man's domain. Esther Shanthi,

member of IFPEC said, " Rehabilitating sex workers has always been difficult

because providing sustainable alternative livelihood has been a challenge. We

hope this will be a model for the rest of the states and will give hope to sex

workers seeking better livelihood options "

Source:INDIA STATES DECCAN CHRONICLE, CHENNAI , 24TH JUNE 2007

Forwarded by :

----------------------------

Yours in Global Concern

A.SANKAR

Executive Director

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