Media should highlight plight of sex workers: Experts

Kakinada, Apr 11 (UNI) Experts today stressed the role of the media in highlighting the plight of sex workers and extending support to them in restoring their honour as human beings.

Addressing a media sensitization meet organised under the aegis of NGOs 'Changes' and 'Care India' here, Dr Abhijash Mithra, a Kolkata-based psychiatrist spearheading the campaign against the dreaded HIV and AIDS, said media should create awareness among the people on the need for accepting sex workers as fellow human beings instead of developing hatred towards them.

''It is unfair to brand all sex workers as carriers of HIV,'' he said.

Social activist Ananda Rao said sex workers were now getting themselves organised into associations, quitting the oldest profession and promoting safe sex by distributing condoms and playing the role of health workers.

Changes Chief Karanam Venkateswera Rao said sex workers were facing harassment from police, rowdies and goondas alike. Some times the police were subjecting them to vulgar demonstrations in the police stations. They were facing discrimination not only from friends and relatives but also from the government in extending economic benefits.

Sai Durga, a sex worker who quit the profession and was now working as a volunteer in spearheading the campaign against HIV, said she was now helping the unfortunate women in getting governmental help for their rehabilitation and education of their children.

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