Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 23 2008:
The Survivors' Action for Human Rights has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding five points yesterday.
The Survivors' Action for Human Rights is a body of the commercial sex workers of the State.
Copies of the memorandum have also been submitted to Health Minister Pheiroijam Parijat and opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam.
Speaking to media persons at Hatta today, convenor of the Survivors' Action for Human Rights, Lucy Zou informed that the primary demands as listed in the memorandum include formulation of a drug policy for the State, provision of free detoxification and treatment to HIV/AIDS infected people, establishment of rehabilitation centres and provision of vocational training so as to enable CSWs switch to other alternative livelihoods and ensuring proper functioning of Moreh de-addiction centre.
Lucy further informed that various democratic forms of agitation will be launched in association with different civil organisations in case the State Government fails to fulfil the demands at the earliest.
Even as CSWs of the State wish to leave their profession and return to mainstream society, they could not do so for lack of alternative source of livelihoods and the ever increasing social stigma against their profession, Lucy lamented.
But the CSWs are facing grave risks if they continue their profession for prolonged periods.
In course of time, the rate of drug abuse among CSWs may increase and this may subsequently lead to infection with HIV/AIDS, she disclosed adding that this may ultimately result in a big issue for the society at large.
Disclosing that the Survivors' Action for Human Rights was formed on April 17 last year to fight against the frequent cases of sexual harassment meted out to CSWs and confiscating money by security personnel, the convenor recalled that Survivors' Action for Human Rights filed a petition at Court demanding fitting action against the errant security personnel involved in harassing CSWs in June last.