Karnataka: Decriminalise prostitution, give us welfare, say sex workers

Bengaluru: Condemning actor-turned-politician Jayamala's report about the problems of sex workers and Devadasis in the state, members of Karnataka Sex Workers Union on Saturday staged a protest in front of Town Hall.

In May 2015, Jayamala was appointed as the chairman of 16-member expert committee comprising writers, educationists, thinkers and others to study about the problems faced by sex workers and submit a report to the government. The committee recently submitted its report to the government and the union members are not happy with the report.

The union vice-president, Elavarthi Manohar, told Deccan Chronicle, "The expectation of the committee was to address challenges faced by sex workers, which has been largely ignored by the government. The committee was expected to go beyond tokenistic schemes and address the institutional stigma, atrocities committed by law enforcement agencies, discrimination faced by sex workers and their health needs."

He alleged the committee carried out their survey in an unethical manner by violating the dignity of the individuals. The very manner in which the questionnaire was prepared and administered to the sex workers was unethical.

"A study of this magnitude should have been developed through consultation with sex workers’ organizations," Manohar added.

He wanted the committee report, submitted to the government, be made public and also demanded that government decriminalise sex work and set up sex workers’ welfare board.