14 Jun 2021  |   05:41am IST

COVID adversity pushes many into sex trade

Pandemic leaves the most marginalised groups more vulnerable; With some commercial establishments pulling down their shutters many low-paid income groups hit hard
COVID adversity pushes many into sex trade

Team Herald 


PANJIM: Adversity caused by the uninvited guest COVID-19 pandemic forced a housekeeping staff in South Goa to plunge into the sex trade. 

Gehna (name changed), married her co-staff after dating each other for a short period. Both worked in the same restaurant. She decided to quit her job and focus on their married life. But when her husband died around four years ago, she returned to her previous job. 

She managed to pay her room rent, buy ration and give education to her children with the little amount she earned until the hotel shut indefinitely due to the pandemic last year. A shattered Gehna, now aged 30 years, had only solution to work on the streets as a sex worker.     

“I earned around Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 per month but lockdown took away my decent earning. Lockdown has pushed women like me into poverty. Since I am uneducated, I am sure no other place can offer me a job. I decided to risk my life and get into sex trade during the pandemic last year,” said Gehna. 

The pandemic and subsequent lockdown hit the sex industry hard as clients would apprehend getting into physical contact. Gehna said she still managed to get a few clients until the second wave. 

“I earned around Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per client. I had no option but the second wave has left women like me into poverty. I have to take care of five children, their education, their food, etc,” she said lamenting no help from the government. 

The pandemic has left the most marginalised groups more vulnerable. Many low-paid income groups like Gehna have taken the prostitution path after quite a few commercial establishments pulled down their shutters due to financial constraints, courtesy ongoing pandemic. 

Many young girls and women from the hospitality and industrial sector have fallen prey to the sex trade, knowing its consequences. 

“It’s a matter of survival. We have to cover our daily expenses. Yes, we are aware about police raids, risk of contracting the virus but we too are helpless. However, ever since COVID-19 has hit India, many women in sex trade have not been meeting any clients. In fact, no client wants our service during this time,” said Yojna (name changed), who has been operating from Vasco. 

As States began to impose lockdown followed by curfew in Goa and its extension, Yojna had to dig into her savings. Her small savings have depleted increasing her anxiety. 

She was raped many years ago at her work place and was threatened by her senior to remain tight-lipped. It became a regular affair and for each “rape” she was paid Rs 50. “I was already sold. Therefore, I decided to quit my work and independently look for clients. I earned between 2,000 and 5,000 from each client. In a day, I collected good income until the pandemic hit our lives hard,” said Yojna. Family circumstances forced her to become a sex worker around 12 years back. The 40-year-old with the responsibility to take care of five children and her mother, came out of an abusive marital life more than a decade ago. 

“My husband was an alcoholic. He tortured me but I didn’t speak against him because of my children. He assaulted me to such an extent that I had miscarriage at least three times, and when I was pregnant with my fifth child he disappeared,” she said recalling the ordeal. 

These women, risking their lives, are making best efforts to ensure their children are not exposed to this harsh reality. “My children will be shattered if I tell them the type of work I am into. I fear my daughters might also enter this trade,” said another. 

NGO Anyay Rahit Zindagi, which has been assisting the police in rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation of sex workers, has said there is no economic rehabilitation due to the pandemic. “Theirs is lack of funds. We are nonetheless doing our best to help the rehabilitated women as well as those still in sex trade. Personal contribution from our staff, financial help from like minded people and funds from our association are being used to help these women,” ARZ Director Arun Pandey said. The NGO that operated a laundry by employing rescued victims of prostitution is closed owing to the pandemic. 

Pandey slammed government’s insensitivity to provide relief to the vulnerable section despite directions from the Supreme Court. 

“State has to take responsibility. How can the State be so insensitive.. There is a problem of hunger. We cannot leave the vulnerable section to become more and more vulnerable,” he said. 

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar