Plan to help children of sex workers in Barak Valley

GUWAHATI: Unicef and the Assam State Commission for Protections of Child Rights (ASCPCR) are working on an action plan to help children of female sex workers in the state to benefit from various government welfare schemes.

A team of Unicef and ASCPCR officials visited red light areas in Silchar and said it was because of the stigma associated with their profession that most sex workers keep away from availing the services and schemes of the government for them and their children.

The visit was made over the weekend in an effort to find out about the ground situation on the implementation of the various child rights policies in the Barak valley and also to undertake a baseline survey in crafting an action plan to meet the challenges for the children of sex workers. A collaborative effort between stakeholders such as NGOs, Assam University and other authorities concerned was urged to address the issue.

"We found that the fear of social stigma prevented the sex workers from taking advantage of the schemes. We need to work on strengthening the system for them so that they can approach the authorities without any hesitance. The visit was to learn and understand how the system of child protection is working in those areas and in the districts surrounding the Barak valley. It is helpful for us to know what opportunities are being given to the children and what the challenges are. A lot can be done by the stakeholders in making the opportunities available to the children," said chief-of-office Unicef Assam Tushar Rane.

Members from both Unicef and ASCPCR visited Nagapatty located in the heart of the old garrison town of Silchar in Barak Valley. Nagapatty is the only known red light area in the Northeast region. According to local organizations, there are close to 500 female sex workers in Nagapatty.

One of the prime objectives of the visit was to monitor whether Right to Education (RTE) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, Act (POSCO), were working and whether the children who were staying with their mothers there were being able to avail the facilities like routine immunization and others provided by Anganwadi centres and workers.

A meeting between the visiting representatives, the local district administration and the involved stakeholders took place on Sunday.

The commission will prepare a plan of action based on the observations made over the course of the two days. Representatives who visited the areas also said that many of the children and their mothers were hesitant in opening up. Some sex workers said that social stigma attached with the profession was the biggest hindrance in availing the facilities.

"We met the stakeholders from the district administration and local voluntary organizations. The observations were carefully noted and based on it an action plan will be made," said Runumi Gogoi, chairperson, ASCPCR.