Imphal, 1st April 2006,
M. Pramotchand Singh,
Secretary
Population Health Institute, Imphal
Population Health Institute (PHI), Imphal and Department of
Anthropology, Manipur University organized a day long consultation to mark the
release of its report on the Situation and Response to Commercial sex
workers (CSWs) in 5 districts of Manipur at the conference hall of
Department of Anthropology. The assessment in partnership with Catholic Relief
Services is an important benchmark study to document the various
factors compelling them to enter sex work and the responses from various
civil society organizations and the Public heath service provisions.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. N. Joykumar, Dean of Social Sciences,
Manipur University, who released the report stated "Sex workers are a
part of our social system and their issues need to be understood to build
an effective response.
Against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS epidemic,
NGOs and Government agencies can look at how to spread awareness, build
capacity, Improve negotiating skills etc. amongst women in sex work."
He further expressed that any agency can now use this report as a
benchmark study while designing programs for the CSWs.
Dr. Lenin of Department of Psychiatry, Regional Institute of Medical
Sciences while explaining about the book and the world of commercial sex
workers expressed that the study is a scientific document and based on
this, concerted response by the government and the non govt.
organizations has to be initiated in the state.
Fr MC George, Director, Don Bosco Society, pointed out that the study
is a pathfinder and a courageous initiative keeping in mind the
traditional society of Manipur. While congratulating PHI and Manipur University
he pointed out that concrete and fruitful intervention needs to be
undertaken on the ground.
He also stressed on the need to involve wider
section of the society and support from premier institutes like Manipur
University. He informed that Don Bosco will be willing to help out in all
possible manners while addressing the various issues related to CSWs.
Mr. Deepak, President, Manipur Network of Positive people (MNP+)
compared the situation of CSWs today with what PLHA faced during the early
90s in the state. He was optimistic that movement of CSWs for addressing
their own issues will become a reality in the days to come.
Calling for more services for sex workers, L. Birendrajit, General
Secretary, Social Awareness Service Organization (SASO) said: "We have long
been in the field of Harm reduction for drug users and have realized
that sex workers too need to be addressed.
The dynamics between sex work
and drug use are a concern since both the groups are vulnerable to
HIV/AIDS. This assessment has provided crucial data for groups working with
sex workers."
Soft/hard copy/ies of the report can be had on request from the following address:
Population Health Institute (PHI)
First Floor, Arena Multimedia Building
Nongmeibung Namabam Chuthek
Imphal East, Manipur
INDIA - 795001
Email: [email protected]
This Press Handout was given by Population Health Institute
Population Health Institute can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 02nd April 2006.
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