Community Voices

Latha's story
Latha, a 35 year-old woman was living in Channapatna, Bangalore Rural district. She was married, but had been abandoned by her husband. She had three female and two male children. She became a sex worker to look after her children. Learning about her profession, her neighbours started quarreling with her. During one such quarrel, she was beaten with an iron rod on the head and suffered injuries. The organization workers admitted her to a hospital. They lodged a complaint against the neighbours. When the police refuse to admit the case, the case workers demanded that the case be admitted. An FIR was prepared. The culprits were put behind bars. Thereafter, nobody in Channapatna has been harassing Latha and her family.

United we stand
The intense heat of the sun beating down. A barren hillock. Penury-ridden homes and the shrill shriek every now and then indicated just one thing - people of Banglegudda had no peace of mind.

Among a row of houses, sex workers who strove for the dignity of their profession, would meet in one of the houses and share their woes. During one such meeting, the sex workers were ambushed by goons who had preconceived notions. Although a little scared, the women gathered courage and lashed back at the goons saying that they were free to meet in a vacant house as and when they wished and they did not need anybody?s permission. But the women did feel sorry for not having taken permission from the Gram Panchayat (GP). Without paying heed to their words, the goons warned them against conducting such meetings in future and left the place.

After they were gone, the women expressed their fears and apprehensions and decided against holding meetings in that place. They also felt they would not be in a position to hold any such meetings at all in future. But, they had not lost hope completely. They decided to meet the GP secretary in this regard for a solution. The next day, about 4-5 sex workers met the secretary and requested him to allow them to conduct their meetings in the vacant house. They also placed a similar request before the Gram Panchayat president and members who responded positively and agreed to allow them to conduct meetings in the vacant house. The overjoyed women decided to convert the house into an information centre and formally inaugurate it.

Consequently, the information centre was inaugurated by the Gram Panchayat president and this gave a befitting reply to the goons. The residents of the village also attended the inaugural function along with Gram Panchayat members and secretary.

The women felt a sense of victory for unitedly having secured a place after opposing the goons. Thereafter, the neighbours and the goons not only mended their ways but also started behaving cordially.

These women showed that there is strength in unity and nothing is impossible if one has the determination. The sweet taste of success lingers on.

Community members, Samraksha