VAMP takes on documentary film-maker

[Guest guest]

VAMP takes on documentary film-maker

This brief (3.5) minute clip by the Veshya Anyay Mukti Parishad (VAMP,

Prostitutes’ Collective Against Injustice), encapsulates a succinct response to

‘Prostitutes of God’, a sensationalized and factually flawed documentary

produced by for VBS TV.

Countering the distorted perspective in the film, women from VAMP present their

incisive views about sex work; religion and faith; livelihoods; issues of

consent; ethics and cross-cultural sensitivities while making documentary films.

The women in Sangli from VAMP recorded video responses to the film.

In the age of the internet, women in countries far away who used to be the

objects of white people's gaze with no right of reply now have access to the

representations that are made of them, and the technological means to answer

back.

A naive westerner may seize the headlines, but there's now scope for

there to be a debate and to bring those who in the past would have remained

voiceless victims into that debate to represent themselves.It is a great

opportunity to put the record straight.

This clip has been produced by *Sangli Talkies*, the newly-launched video unit

of SANGRAM / VAMP. Watch it on you tube!

In solidarity,

VAMP and SANGRAM

www.sangram.org

meena saraswathi seshu

SANGRAM, Sangli.

e-mail: <sangram.vamp@...>

[Guest guest]

Meena,

Re: /message/12020

Congratulations to both you and VAMP for the excellent response to the

rubbish on BBC. It's the usual piece of " exoticism " displayed by the BBC.

It's time you also took on Dalyrimple (I can never get that surname right) on

the piece he did on the Devdasi in the Avahan promoted book.

There is a great deal going on behind the scenes among these people who are

demonising sex work and their profession. Besides selling stories and getting

thie foot into some sort of publishing careers, they don't ever come back for

follow ups and see what is really happening.

At one recent consultation in Delhi, a DIG called Nair, actually had the gall to

say that all men who visit redlight areas should be immediately arrested for

rape of minors " . Some of us walked out because this was giving blanket

permission for harassment of women besides threatening the clients of sex

workers themselves.

Such people come with agendas that are not only authoritarian but also

patronising in that they " infantalilise " all women as people without agency.

This needs more discussion which unfortunately is not forthcoming as these

people are not being challenged aggressively.

The purposeful blurring of lines between trafficking and sex work comes with an

agenda.

And we all need to fight it tooth and nail.

Regards

Ashok Row Kavi

e-mail: <arowkavi@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/12026

Well, who says VAMP and Ashok do not come with an agenda! We all have agendas.

But, bias and non readiness to listen to see another point of view denial is not

a virtue of open minds.

   

Sanjeev Kumar

New Delhi India

e-mail: <sanjeevbcc@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Ashok

Re: /message/12026

The fact remains that the sex work and Trafficking is closely knit form of flesh

trade which is existing in human society from un-recordable times.

What we need to discuss and promote is a proper sex education which trains our

human mind to realize the fact that every individual bourn is a winner, Unique

and special.

SEX is the Sacred Expression of love, care, respect Trust…. Etc….

When SEX is used out of this context it produces all kinds of

social and emotional problems..

While a group of people advocate on behalf of the sex workers, lets create a

stronger advocacy for sex education programs in the schools, and communities.

I am one of the first advocates for sex workers, who set up

first of its kind Saheli project at Pune under ‘Then’ Indian Health

Organization. Even till today have my connections with them.

I have designed an excellent Sex education program which is conducted in Pune

schools.

If any one wants to learn this module I am willing to conduct

‘Training Of Trainers’ Lets be partners in creating a new generation who will

look at themselves as winners, Unique and Special creation

… At the same time care for those did not get this opportunity.

With Warm Regards

Raj

Principal Director

The Academic Advisors

+91 9371007716

e-mail: <susan@...>