COVID-19 lockdown: Sex workers in Chandrapur struggle hard for livelihood

Sex workers in Chandrapur are striving hard to earn their livelihood during lockdown due to the Coronavirus. For thousands of them, who are living in the cities across India, there is nowhere to go. With no source of income and shortage of basic food materials, many women are bracing for a tough time ahead.

Chandrapur:AsMaharashtra crossed the mark of 3000 COVID-19 positive cases and the Central government has imposed the strict nationwide- lockdown to curb the deadly Coronavirus, the sex workers in Chandrapur are striving hard to earn their livelihood.

For thousands of sex workers who are living in the cities across India, there is nowhere to go. With no source of income and shortage of basic food materials, many women are bracing for a tough time ahead.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has plunged the most vulnerable and marginalised groups into the depths of anxiety and deprivation.

Shabana (changed name), one of the sex worker from Chandrapur said, "Police are helping us in many ways. I had a headache but don't have money to buy medicine so I asked a policeman for it. The policeman gave me Rs 10 and then I brought the medicine."

Many here have the ration card but can't buy grains to feed their family. They are supporting the administration during the lockdown but facing lots of problems for their survival.

On April 8, the Global Network of Sex Work Projects and UNAIDS released a statement highlighting the hardship and discrimination faced by sex workers in this time, urging countries to ensure that their human rights be respected and fulfilled.

The outbreak of Coronavirus has affected the lives of these commercial Sex workers and the NGOs who are working for the community finding it hard to provide them food and other facilities on a daily basis.

Other than the efforts made by NGO's, Government should come forward to help these sex workers as they don't have other sources of income.

On April 17 India reported 11201 Active Cases as per the data published by the Ministry of Health and family welfare.