Sex workers want masks, check-ups

They blame the government for being apathetic

They blame the government for being apathetic

Even though their clientele has gone down by half, sex workers at Delhi's infamous red light zone GB Road are turning away customers.

No, it's not HIV/AIDS that is giving them sleepless night. Rather, it is the government apathy towards them regarding protection from swine flu.u00a0u00a0

Representative photo

"The number of our customers has drastically gone down in the past few weeks. It has reduced to almost half. But it is not our main concern. Swine flu is spreading fast, and we are not even aware of the preventive measures required to keep the virus at bay," said Nandita, a sex worker.

"The deadly flu could spread faster in red light areas as they are frequented by foreigners, who may have contracted the virus abroad. We are worried for our children," she added.

The government is yet to launch an awareness drive in the area, which is inhabited by over 5,000 sex workers.
"We are showing the door to customers suffering from any type of cough and cold. Also, we are not indulging in sex with anyone from Mumbai, Pune and abroad," said Neema, a sex worker.

Prostitutes from the locality have urged the government to send doctors to check them for flu symptoms and demanded that facemasks should be provided to them.

Bhartiya Patita Uddhar Sabha President Khairati Lal Bhola said they had urged the government to provide masks and frequent medical
examination of the sex workers and their children. "The government has not taken any initiative yet," he said.

(Names of the sex workers have been changed to protect their identities)