Sex workers are one of the most marginalised sections of our society. They are subject to atrocities and often forced into this profession either by anti-social elements of society, fraud or unfortunate circumstances. Leading a harsh life, periods only add to their suffering. Most of them believe that it is a curse from God that makes them impure and dirty.
How Do Sex Workers Manage Their Periods?
Salma (name changed) is a sex worker in Delhi. Upon asking her about her periods, she said, “Hum kapda lgate hei. Ek NGO wali ma’am ne bataya tha ki geela kapda lgana sahi nahi hein. Lekin jaha hum rehte hein, waha dhoop aur hawa nhi hoti ( I use cloth during my periods. An NGO volunteer told me that using damp cloth is unhealthy, but there is no sunlight or air where we live).”
The women are forced to use dirty cloth to manage their periods. With lack of access to clean toilets with water and soap, they have poor vaginal hygiene. Sanitary pads is a luxury for them. The use of moist cloth and continuous work over this only worsens their menstrual health. Sex workers do not earn much and are are exploited by their brothel owners and clients.
On asking about sanitary pads, Salma said, “Wo bahot mehnga hota hei. Mere pass doctor ke pass jane ke paise nhi hei. Main kaha se laaogi (Sanitary pads are expensive. I don’t even have enough money to visit a doctor, how will I be able to buy the pads)?”
In addition to social and economic exploitation, sex workers are marginalised by the law as well. The State fails to provide them with basic human rights. They are rendered voiceless and the government does not consider them while formulating any scheme, not even as a citizen!
For instance, Sultana requested to include sex workers in the survey conducted before building toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. She said, “Society treats us as an outcast. When we talk about menstruation or hygiene, people think it is a sex worker, your opinions do not matter.”
The Plight Of Sex Workers’ Children
The children of sex workers, born in brothels, are disadvantaged due to limited access to the outside world. In a webinar, Mr KM Pathi pointed out that local school authorities deny admission to children of sex workers. If at all they get admitted, they are bullied and eventually have to leave school. As a result, not only do they remain as uneducated as their their mothers, they mostly end up doing the same job.
Poor Awareness Among Sex Workers Regarding Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)
Ignorance about menstrual health management exacerbates their condition. Two of Dr Geeta’s (name changed) patients (both sex workers) got severe vaginal infection. While one used wet cloth, the other was using sanitary pads. On inquiring about how she as able to use pads, Haseena (name changed) said, “NGO walo ne bola kapda kharab hota hei aur pad de diya. Maine teen din pad use kiya toh aise ho gya (Volunteers from an NGO advised me against using cloth. They gave me a packet of sanitary pads and advised me to use it. After using it for three days, I got the infection). She did not know how frequently to change a pad. She used a single pad for three days and washed it and reused it again. This led to a severe vaginal infection.
A majority of the sex workers have to work during their periods, too. They are not offered any choice. Some of them use a sponge or cotton to stop the flow. If that does not help, they ask the client to engage in anal sex only. However, this does not help them deal with the pain of periods. “Sponge and cotton are not good options. They are risky and unhygienic,” said Dr Geeta. While many take pills to stop their periods, others opt for removing their uterus for permanent relief. Some of them do not work during their periods. However, given their financial conditions, a week of unpaid vacation pinches them.
Projects And Campaigns To Raise Awareness On MHM Among Sex Workers
Most of the NGOs and social workers working with sex workers focus on imparting knowledge and awareness about HIV and AIDS. They have been successful in creating awareness. Sex workers are particular about condoms now. However, there are significantly fewer NGOs that are involved in imparting awareness on MHM.
One such initiative is #ProjectFreePeriod by Stayfree and DDB Mudra. They use no-work period days to provide vocational training to commercial sex workers. Though most menstruators see periods as a burden, many sex workers await them. They get time for themselves; they go to market with their children and rest. They are trained with skills such as haircut, shaping eyebrows, candle making etc., which will help them earn a livelihood in the longer run.
Though MHM in sex trade seems a far-fetched dream, efforts are being made by private companies, NGOs and individuals to provide them with Menstrual Hygiene Management and a better life altogether.
Note: The author is a part of the current batch of the #PeriodParGyan Writer’s Training Program