The recent murder of a sex worker in Kochi is heartbreaking, not just as a criminal act, but as a glimpse into both the vulnerabilities of this community & fragile health and legal safety net available to them. Basic Sex work in India, though not illegal for consenting adults, the associated with stigma, harassment, and gaps in legal protection, making it hard for these individuals to access basic healthcare or safety. As the Supreme Court has highlighted, adult sex workers deserve dignity and legal protection, and survivors of violence must receive full medical, psychological, and legal support.
More than a law and order issue, from a health care perspective, it can ripple through lives as long-term health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, and untreated infections. Children growing up in these environments have limited access to nutrition, education, and safety
What can be done by health care professionals?
1. Trauma-informed care
Non-judgmental services, along with strict confidentiality policies, build trust
Collaborate with One-Stop Centres so survivors can access medical, legal, and social support under one roof.
2. Create Accessible Health Programs
Develop mobile clinics, drop-in centres, and health camps in areas where sex workers live..
3. Advocate & Research
To better understand health risks among sex workers and advocate for policy reforms, offer volunteer participation in studies conducted by NGOs and government-recognized organisations.
India’s current stance and approach toward the protection and welfare of sex workers
1. Anti Trafficking & Rehabilitation (Ujjawala Scheme)
The Ministry of Women & Child Development runs the Ujjawala Scheme to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate women and children caught in trafficking or forced into commercial exploitation
2. Social Entitlement & Structural Support
The government has enabled special housing schemes and social entitlement workshops so sex workers can access ration cards, voter ID, and other welfare benefits.
3. HIV Prevention and Community Empowerment
Community interventions under the National AIDS Control Program provide HIV testing, counseling, and link affected individuals to antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres.
Microfinance cooperatives for sex workers (like the USHA Cooperative) are supported by the Government to help sex workers to save safely, access credit, and improve financial stability.
Challenges to face
Limited enforcement of legal protections leading to stigma, harassment, and unsafe working conditions, & Children of sex workers facing poor access to nutrition, education, and healthcare are all some challenges we face. Let us hope to resolve them with responsible and well-thought-out health care policies and law enforcement.
Curious to know
1. Have you ever been in a position to support the health or well-being of sex workers or their children? What did you learn from that experience, and how did it change your perspective?
2. Apart from existing government programs and community efforts, what more do you think healthcare professionals or society can do to genuinely protect and uplift these marginalized groups?
MBH/PS