India’s prostitution villages | DW Documentary

Summary

The video follows the lives of women in India's sex trade, highlighting their struggles, choices, and the systemic poverty driving them into this profession. It explores the deep-rooted social and economic factors, including caste discrimination, poverty, and lack of education, that perpetuate this cycle. Despite facing abuse, stigma, and exploitation, some women, like Rashna and Anita, find ways to support their families. However, initiatives like education and support from NGOs offer hope for change, as young women aspire for a better future, breaking the generational cycle of sex work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rajkumari is a sex worker in Rajasthan, struggling to support her family, highlighting the difficult lives of many Indian women involved in sex work.
• 😀 Anita, a sex worker in G GOI village, joined the profession due to poverty, earning around €750 per month to support her family, including paying off a €1,000 debt.
• 😀 Many sex workers in India, like Rashna, are trapped in a cycle of poverty and debt due to high-interest loans from local lenders who refuse to work with them.
• 😀 In rural Indian villages, discrimination against low-caste communities, like those in G GOI, makes it difficult for individuals to find alternative livelihoods outside of sex work.
• 😀 The historical criminalization of nomadic tribes by the British under the 1871 Criminal Tribes Act still affects these communities, limiting their opportunities for better work and social mobility.
• 😀 Women in sex work often face abuse and exploitation, as seen in Rashna's experience of being mistreated by a client, which is a common occurrence for many sex workers.
• 😀 Despite the hardships, women in these communities are often seen as the primary breadwinners and are respected for their ability to support their families and manage household finances.
• 😀 Some sex workers dream of escaping the trade, like Anka, who hopes for a future outside of sex work and Rashna, who wants a better life for her child through education.
• 😀 Education is seen as a way to break the cycle of poverty and sex work. Guddu Nagar, a teacher from a similar background, is working to educate future generations in the village.
• 😀 NGOs are playing a crucial role in helping women and children escape the cycle of sex work by providing education and raising awareness of their rights, with some even securing jobs in fields like medicine and law.

Q & A

What is the primary reason Rajkumari is involved in sex work?

Rajkumari is involved in sex work due to financial necessity. She has a family to support and a young baby to feed, and sex work is one of the few available options for her to earn money.

What is the financial situation of Anita, and why does she continue in sex work?

Anita earns around 60,000 to 70,000 rupees per month (about €750). She entered sex work out of poverty, as it was the only way she could support her family, pay off debts, and cover living expenses, including her sister's marriage.

Why are sex workers in India often forced to turn to local lenders for money?

Sex workers are unable to access bank loans because their profession is not officially recognized as legitimate work. As a result, they turn to local lenders who charge high-interest rates, leading to further financial struggles.

What role does the caste system play in the lives of women in these villages?

The women in these villages belong to low castes, which has historically marginalized them. This caste-based discrimination limits their opportunities for other forms of work and perpetuates their involvement in sex work, as societal stigmas make it difficult for them to find alternative employment.

What is the historical context behind the communities involved in sex work in India?

These communities, originally nomadic performers like dancers, jugglers, and acrobats, were criminalized under the British Colonial Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. Although the act was repealed after India's independence, the stigma against these groups persists, limiting their opportunities for alternative livelihoods.

How do male members of these communities contribute to the sex work trade?

Male members of these communities often act as pimps or facilitators, managing the logistics of sex work. They may also contribute to the household economy in other ways, such as housework and child-rearing, but they remain involved in the sex trade.

How does education impact the lives of sex workers and their families?

Education plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty and sex work. For instance, some children of sex workers have been able to pursue careers in the police force and medical professions, providing an opportunity for a better life and moving away from the tradition of sex work.

What does the teacher Goodu Nagar aim to achieve in his community?

Goodu Nagar, a teacher supported by an NGO, believes that education can help women in his community escape sex work. He teaches local children, including those from families involved in the trade, to help them secure safer and more respectable jobs in the future.

What are some of the challenges sex workers face in their personal lives, as described in the script?

Sex workers like Rashna face personal challenges such as abuse, humiliation, and emotional trauma from clients. Additionally, there is the stigma associated with their profession, and many face difficulties as they age and the trade becomes more physically demanding.

How does Rashna's story highlight the cycle of poverty in these communities?

Rashna's story illustrates how poverty leads to generations of women entering sex work. She became a sex worker at a young age after seeing her family's struggles and realizing that it was the only way to support her siblings and survive. This cycle is perpetuated by financial desperation and a lack of opportunities.