Former CSW shares experience
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13 2016: With extensive awareness programmes on AIDS/HIV and need to eradicate commercial sex work, a former sex worker and drug addict has mustered up the courage to share her past experiences with the hope to bring better changes in society.

Speaking exclusively to The Sangai Express, Nem (name changed) said, "I had worked as a commercial sex worker in North AOC for almost 22 years apart from being a drug addict.

What changed me was when I realized the difference between what is wrong and what is right.

If there is a will, there is a way.

This is how I found my way out from the horrific life" .

Nem, now 46, was born to a poor farmer's family.

She has 12 brothers and 4 sisters.

In 1989, she was married against her will.

Though she gave birth to seven daughters, she was never treated with love by her husband.

Nem was subjected to domestic violence and abuse. "I tried several times to run away from my husband's place.

There was no one I could turn to for help or advice.

Frustration and helplessness were the things that drove me to drugs and commercial sex business.

I have seven daughters but one had passed away.

My four daughters are with their father while the youngest two of them are staying with me.

My second youngest daughter works in a company based in Delhi and the youngest is studying in class X," Nem said.

Nem said that there were several other reasons as well why she stopped using drugs and a working as commercial sex worker.

"My life started to change after I joined a counselling session in Nirvana Foundation.

The foundation give counselling to more than hundred commercial sex workers.

I am now one of the staff members of the foundation," Nem informed.

After the recent rigorous drive against commercial sex business in North AOC area, many sex workers are now unemployed, she said.

"Nirvana Foundation closes at 4 pm.

Therefore, many sex workers who have no place to go can be seen taking shelter in pavements in and around North AOC.

Some can be seen even near Kanglapat.

Apart from causing inconvenience to passersby, these helpless women are also under constant threat of some miscreants," Nem stated.

Normally, a drug addict uses drugs one to four times in a day and sometimes more than that.

In some days, she would increase the normal dose.

When there is no money to purchase drugs, that is when some women start working as commercial sex workers.

This allow them to generate income on daily basis which made it easier to buy drugs.

Nem also revealed how the commercial sex business is managed.

From hotel charge to security charge, a woman sex worker has to pay even to an agent upto 50 per cent of her income.

Nirvana Foundation also provides awareness on various contagious diseases.

"Some of the customers might be married.

After being infected by the disease through the sex workers, the infection can be spread to their innocent partners.

Therefore, Nirvana Foundation has been providing awareness on how to prevent such diseases," Nem said.

The foundation also conducts intervention programmes for the sex workers under the aegis of MACS.

The State Government should take up measures like introducing counselling programmes, providing shelter and opportunities to earn a livelihood.

Younger generations should be made aware of the consequences of all these issues in order to build a healthy society.

"I had accomplished what I once felt was impossible.

To be able to stay away from destructive things are the best gifts we can give to ourselves.

Nevertheless, there are many women who need our help.

Let us join hands to help the people who are lost," Nem urged.

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