Kolkata: Sex workers from 16 Indian states yesterday pressed for the enforcement of the Right to Food Act, so that members of the marginalised community can have access to nutrition.
Over 200 women leaders representing sex workers’ collective business operations (CBOs) and networks advocated their right to food at the ongoing Sex Workers’ Festival here.
Leena Banswal, additional CEO, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Maharashtra said: “The only way to attain this mission is by strengthening and coming together of people living below poverty line to form CBOs.”
Harsh Mander, Supreme Court commissioner in the Right to Food case, called for the establishment of night shelters and pension for older sex workers.
“The CBOs should further strengthen themselves and fight for their entitlements. The red-light areas should have night shelters and anganwadi shelters for the betterment of children of sex workers. Moreover, adult sex-workers and single women should get pension from the government.”