Mumbai NGO to vocationally train male sex workers

Mumbai, Oct 6: Sambhavana,a city based non governmental organization (NGO) would provide vocational training courses to over 50 male sex workers to help them earn back their self respect.

These male sex workers would be trained in mobile repairing, electronics, appliance repairing and plumbing at their office in Byculla in south Mumbai.

"Most of these men come to Mumbai in search of jobs but end up in sex trade. We are trying to help them earn a better living," said Jasmir Thakur, convener of the NGO.

Omprakash, 27, who spent nearly 12 years in Mumbai working as a masseur, a garb also registered for the vocational courses.

"My parents in Mathura do not know what I do here. The job pays well and my family is happy with the money I send them every week. But I am scared I will one day get infected with some disease and want to leave this job at the earliest. I want to earn my self respect back," said Omprakash.

Sambhavana's survey showed that almost 17 per cent of the male sex workers were HIV positive.

"It is alarming to see boys as young as 15 years come to Mumbai in search of decent jobs and then being dragged into prostitution. We realised even if we counsel these boys to quit the profession, they need an alternative as they are mostly school drop-outs," said Jasmir.

OneIndia News