Sex workers also demanded welfare boards in all states to check human trafficking, especially of minor girls. The boards must include representatives of sex workers and ensure social protection for them and their families.

Sex workers also demanded welfare boards in all states to check human trafficking, especially of minor girls. The boards must include representatives of sex workers and ensure social protection for them and their families.

Ahead of a national consultation in July, which will coincide with Parliament’s monsoon session, sex workers’ representatives affiliated to All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) from 13 states met in Delhi. Before the consultation, AINSW members will inform MPs in their states about their concerns, including legislations regulating sex work, human and labour rights and health risks, especially, HIV infection.

Sex workers rooted for self regulatory boards like Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) in Kolkata and Ashodhaya in Mysore to check violence in sex work and trafficking. Sex workers are deeply involved in running the boards in both cities.

“Our self regulatory board has rescued women and minors in the past decade. We have rescued 30 women who alleged they were trafficked,” said Putul who is part of DMSC.

The Kolkata board rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,000 women and minor girls in the past decade, DMSC claimed. “In comparison, the West Bengal government’s anti-trafficking cell in Kolkata rescued less than 100 girls between 2009 and 2011,” said a DMSC report.

Maharashtra government has taken the initiative to set up a social welfare board for sex workers. “But, it must be modified to make it self-regulatory,” said DMSC advisor Dr Smarajit Jana.