Beyond Generational Representation of Children of Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in sex trade (a syigmatized hidden profession): A desparate self strategy of FSWs

Prostitution, a stigmatized profession is historically present in all societies in various forms. Women of different social strata, especially from lower social strata have taken this profession due to extreme poverty and other societal disturbances. Women operate flesh trade in many forms – brothel based sex workers, call girls, escorts and street sex worker, etc. But brothel based sex workers operate particularly from a place considered as Red-light area. It meets dual purpose of business and shelter with their immediate family members (children, male counterpart and relatives). The alarming threat of HIV/AIDS, the deadly disease, has helped to turn the focus of all (Govt. and others) towards female sex workers (FSWs) as high risk intermediatory group for its prevention and control. Secondarily the rehabilitation measures have been taken for FSWs and their children. It includes alternative earning for FSWs and measures for educational development of their children. A study was conducted to evaluate the impact in respect of above taken measures in two red-light areas of West Bengal. One red-light area was situated in a cosmopolitan city, Kolkata and second one was at a sub-divisional town, closely attached to the rural area. But it reveals that the intervention did not meet success as desired because no such situational change has occurred. While the mothers’ strategy to hide the profession from their children with separate space and educational facilities had brought change to some of their children. It would be the model direction to the Govt. and other agencies working for them to reach the desired need of breaking up their vicious cycle or generational representation.