Sex workers clean Kerala's streets

Muvattupuzha (Kerala): The streets of a Kerala town, Muvattupuzha, are going to be a lot cleaner, thanks to a committed band of sex workers.

Nearly two-dozen prostitutes have been engaged by the Muvattupuzha district

municipal authorities in Kerala state to clean up the town, home to nearly

35,000 people.

The sex workers, who have been weaned away from their immoral way of life, collect waste from homes, shops, hospitals and hotels.

Though remuneration in the new job does not make up to their traditional earnings, the new hat donned by the sex workers seems to have cleaned up their sullied image.

"Earlier we used to get Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 in a single night. Now we do a lot of work and do not get as much money, but it gives us security and confidence. It has brought a change in our lives. Earlier, we were not even given homes for rent, but now there is no such problem. Neighbours have started respecting us only because of this municipal job," says an an ex-sex worker, Ashwathi P.

The initiative by the towns' municipal authorities aims to make Muvattupuzha a "waste-free" zone in the state. Their effort has won accolades from the local population.

Chairperson of the Municipal Corporation, Mary George, says, "With this, the Muvattupuzha Municipality is going to fulfill its dream project of making the town a total waste free zone in the state. I must say that this has been due to the dedication of these women and their hard work. They would in turn also get rehabilitated and started earning a good income out of it."

Prostitution is outlawed in India but the country has more than 2 million sex workers living on the fringes of society. They have few rights and are abused by both customers and security personnel.

The town is spread over a tiny area of 13.5 square kilometers and is one of the important towns in Kerala for trading in fresh vegetables, rubber and spices.

The Kerala State AIDS Control Society in a study in 2004-05 says around 5,500 women and 3,400 men are engaged in sex work in different parts of the state.