Separate schools for sex workers demanded

Allahabad, Apr 20 (UNI) After rendering a laudable service for the upliftment and rehabilitation of sex workers and their children, the Bhartiya Patita Uddhar Sabha (BPUS) today demanded setting up separate schools and colleges for them.

''We with help of the Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi are already running two such schools 'Balvidya Niketan' in Varanasi and Allahabad, where 150 sex workers children are getting education from nursery to 5th standard,'' Sabha president Khairati Lal Bhola told UNI here.

''After class five, these students generally quit studies due to financial constraints. Therefore, the Sabha is helping those, who want to continue studies. But sadly, our funds are limited.

Therefore, we have urged the government for setting up separate schools and colleges for them,'' he added.

Mr Bhola said when the government has decided to earmark 33 per cent reservation to women of various fields, then sex workers should also be given benefit of this scheme.

He demanded introduction of pension for sex workers after attaining the age of 60 yrs or when they are not in demand. They ought to be brought under the ambit of Labour Act and an amendment should be made in Immoral Traffic Act to protect them from exploitation.

UNI