Commercial Sex Workers

How sex workers in Bengal lost their lives' savings to chit funds

Dreams of a better life turned into a nightmare for several sex workers in Kolkata's largest red light district Sonagachi, who lost their lifelong savings in Ponzi schemes which promised to double their money.

Verma report's big miss: Legalising commercial sex work

There are many reasons when the Justice Verma's job remain unfinished. Here's why it needs a permanent mandate.

When the AIDS money dries up: Red lights flashing for sex workers?

The crisis of AIDS allowed sex workers to organise for their rights. But if AIDS isn't quite that much of a crisis anymore what happens to all those gains? Sex workers at the Sex Workers Freedom Festival in Kolkata face the flip side of success.

One good brothel: Oasis or mirage?

Sathya Saran visits a model brothel in Budhwarpeth where young girls like Shalini speak of a happy life freely chosen and led under the active care of local NGOs. But the sex trade offers few guarantees.