On International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, Spotlight on Unsafe Lives and Unmet Rights in Delhi

Keywords: sex workers in Delhi, violence against sex workers, legal abortion, women’s rights, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, healthcare access

Every year, December 17 marks the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, an occasion to reflect on the unique challenges faced by those working in one of the most marginalized and stigmatized professions. In the bustling streets and hidden bylanes of Delhi, the plight of sex workers remains precarious, with violence, limited access to healthcare, and legal barriers adding to their struggles.

Among the many rights they are deprived of is access to safe and legal abortion—a fundamental aspect of reproductive healthcare. While India’s Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act asserts that all women, irrespective of profession or marital status, have the right to abortion services, for sex workers, this right often exists more on paper than in practice.

The Stigma Around Healthcare for Sex Workers

In Delhi’s red-light districts, sex workers often face discrimination at healthcare facilities. Medical practitioners may deny them care outright or subject them to moral policing, further discouraging them from seeking necessary treatment. Reproductive healthcare, including access to contraception, regular check-ups, and abortion services, remains a luxury for many.

When asked about their experiences at hospitals, several sex workers shared accounts of being humiliated or refused services because of their profession. “The doctor kept asking questions about why I got pregnant and who the father was. I left without getting the help I needed,” said Rukhsar (name changed), a 28-year-old sex worker based in Delhi.

Barriers to Safe and Legal Abortion

India’s MTP Act allows abortion up to 24 weeks in specific cases, including pregnancies resulting from rape or contraceptive failure. However, the stigma surrounding sex work complicates access to this right. The law does not require a woman to disclose her profession or marital status to seek abortion services, but sex workers often face coercion to provide such details, creating additional hurdles.

Additionally, many sex workers lack access to proper documentation or identification, a prerequisite in some hospitals for medical procedures. This, coupled with the fear of legal or social repercussions, drives many to seek unsafe abortions from untrained providers. Such procedures often lead to severe complications, infections, and in some cases, death.

The Intersection of Violence and Reproductive Rights

Violence is an omnipresent threat in the lives of sex workers. They frequently face abuse from clients, law enforcement, and even local communities. This violence often extends to reproductive coercion, where they may be forced into pregnancies or denied the right to terminate them. The intersection of violence and limited access to reproductive rights leaves sex workers in a vicious cycle of exploitation and neglect.

The lack of legal recognition for their profession further compounds their vulnerability. While sex work itself is not illegal in India, the surrounding activities—such as soliciting or running a brothel—are criminalized, creating an environment where sex workers are constantly under threat of arrest and harassment.

Steps Toward Change

To improve the lives of sex workers in Delhi, a multi-pronged approach is required:

1. Stigma-Free Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics need to adopt policies ensuring non-discriminatory treatment of sex workers. Training programs for healthcare providers can help dismantle biases and create a supportive environment.
2. Community Outreach Programs: Government and non-governmental organizations should focus on increasing awareness about reproductive rights among sex workers, providing them with accessible and confidential healthcare options.
3. Legal Reforms: Decriminalizing sex work could play a transformative role in reducing the stigma and violence faced by sex workers, allowing them to access services and seek justice without fear of persecution.
4. Financial and Social Support: Access to alternative livelihood options, education for their children, and housing schemes could reduce their economic vulnerability and improve their living conditions.

A Call for Action

On this International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, it is crucial to recognize that the violence they face is not limited to physical abuse—it extends to structural violence embedded in healthcare, legal systems, and societal attitudes. Ensuring their right to safe and legal abortion, along with other fundamental rights, is not just a matter of justice but of humanity.

For continuous updates on this and related judicial matters, follow Kanishk Social Media, your trusted source for comprehensive coverage of legal affairs, business, and finance