Waking up and knowing today would be low key as far as working goes was very enticing. A change of scenery was about to occur as we traveled to a female sex workers organization. The Russ Foundation has organized a place for women to come and receive help/counseling concerning their lives. I was not sure what to expect but I did know that I was very excited. The world of sex workers is interesting but more or less disturbing. I have not confronted my concerns with sex worker and I definitely have not spoken with workers themselves. I think this experience will be great and will give me a chance to gain understanding and knowledge on this form of “work” for the women in Madurai. My mind was running with questions concerning their work, their families and the preventative measures taken. I had no idea what I was about to experience but I was ready for anything.
Arriving at the Russ Foundation in the city was more or less a quite and sneaky approach. Our entrance was in the back of the building and we were escorted up the stairs into the building. The translators, Rosemary and Uma attended the foundation and it was comforting to have their presence with us. The room in which we sat to discuss what the organization did and to learn the lifestyle lived was quaint yet comfy. I learned not only from my classmates but first hand from the workers themselves. I was also surprised to learn more about an HIV/AIDS patient and how she was living life today. I am not only happy for the progress the organization has made but for allowing women a place to feel safe and comfortable. Words can not explain what I have seen and what I have learned. I now look at my life in a whole different way. I can not imagine life in which was described to me today.
The women who shared their life stories with us were very open and willing. I am for one thanking each and every one of them for sharing their stories. To begin, the Russ Foundation has taken in multiple women offering them jobs in the office and providing them a life that provides a purpose. The women we spoke with were currently working with the organization and their hearts were made of gold. Each was so kind and happy; I can not get over their smiling faces and the giggles that came every now and then. How to have such happiness in life, I now have learned from them. I will describe some of the circumstances and the life of a sex worker. Keeping in mind many, many variables are playing a role in why, when, where and how such a life is called upon and who. I do not know the answers too many of these questions but I do know that this life is not voluntary. For example, women may have been abused as a child, forced into the sex working life, widowed, pushed into by husbands for money or simply done in order to provide money for the family. No other choice is available or so thought and the women have to provide for their families some way. Sex working is an option that is sought out by those whom have no other choice.
A woman who married young and having two children has a hard life already. Providing for the family and keeping the family in order is not an easy task. Her husband died soon after her second child was born and she was left in charge. Providing for the children and herself with no job and no money was near impossible. A friend introduced her to the sex trade and she had no other choice considering a negative financial balance and an age of 20. No support was offered from her in-laws so she simply took charge. Today, one child is an engineering student and another is in the 9th standard. Her children do not know of her “occupation” and she has no intentions of telling them. She is happy providing a good life for her children.
Another woman studied up to the 9th standard and entered the sex trade at age 19. Her mother died when she was young and she was then abused by her step mother. With her father not helping with the abuse etc. she moved away. She came to the Russ foundation on her own and has been a female sex worker since she left home. She has not seen her family in four years because she can not find them. Her father and step mother have moved away. We found out she has a few children and is working at the Russ Foundation currently. With a family that did not want her and no income she turned to the sex world for help.
The two stories above are not only outstanding but simply original. I can not begin to describe the feelings I have encountered when hearing each speak of their life. These women may wear female condoms to protect themselves but each will cost money. The male condoms do not cost anything. With this in mind, why do female condoms cost money? Why are male condoms free? The production of female condoms is not in India and the availability is lower than that of male condoms. Also, male condoms are more developed and known than female condoms. Many doctors do not even know much about female condoms in India. There are around 6,000 female sex workers in Madurai and the organization tries to target around 2,100 females concerning STD protection. Certain “hot spots” are available in which provide condom distribution to males and females. The only problem is getting the male to commit to wearing a condom. The males will threaten the females if they have to wear a condom and will do whatever it takes to get out of wearing one. The females, then, are left to a female condom if they want protection. Along with this, they have to pay for the female condoms. With very little money and trying to pay for other important daily needs, the female often will wear one female condom for multiple partners. This decreases the protection rate as well as the importance of the condom in the first place. The stories range along the low to high spectrum but all are important in their own way. Each woman has tried making a living in such a way that they only know how. The male dominance is proven to be in effect concerning female work in general.
Abortion in India is free at the government hospitals. Women who get pregnant and do not want the child can abort in the hospital. Although rural women do it privately in their home. For instance, with a hair pin. Certain women are trained to do abortions in the rural villages but this is not safe in any manner. I do not know more about abortions in India specifically but I do know it is the only choice for some.
Brothels were a topic we discussed and have come to learn that they are dominant in Bombay and Calcutta. Women are shifted from city to city via the brokers working for the brothels. The shifting is done so that the men do not get bored with the same women. The money exchange being done concerning this is outstanding but illegal. Many brothels will get wind of being busted and simply shut down camp and move. The women are often in these brothels unwillingly and are used for financial benefits for others. If men are caught acting in the brothel business, the law is not enforced as well as it could be. Most of the time the law is very lenient with the men caught. The women can also be penalized for this business but along with this comes prison and a fine. Although men bail these women out in order to create a debt that has to be paid back to them. With this the women are under the clutches of the men paying them back through the brothel business. I can not imagine being under the clutches of a man none the less in a sex slave institution. The fate of the women was not this and I feel a pain in my stomach every time I think of the women working in such a business. I became sick to my stomach when reflecting on this trade and the violence brought along with it. How can humans be so cruel? Who has the right to harm another being? When did society become so blind to these acts? How can I help? I have so many questions running through my mind but am frustrated when it comes to the answers…that may never be described in truth. I have come so far to find the truth that lies with in the world. Humans are not pure beings and corruption will exist as long as we do.
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