Kolkata: To rehabilitate trafficked women and sex workers willing to leave the profession, the West Bengal government will start a livelihood programme for them this month.
Under the project christened 'Muktir Alo' (Light of Freedom), the first batch of 50 trafficked women will get training in vocational skills like spice grinding and block printing.
"We have identified this first batch of girls from various homes for women run by us. Gradually even women who are in the sex trade will be able to join this programme if they are willing to leave their profession," state Women Welfare minister Shashi Panja said.
The programme will be launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at one of the state-run women homes later this month.
During the course of a nine-month-long training, they would get free stay and food at the women's home besides a monthly stipend of Rs 2500.
"The idea is to train them and and give them skills so that they can start a new life. There are many sex workers who want to leave this profession and start a dignified life. We will provide them that opportunity," Panja said.
After getting trained, the inmates would be provided with a start-up capital of Rs 25,000 if they want to start a small business on their own or through a self-help group.
The state-funded scheme for rehabilitation of commercial sex workers and victims of trafficking has a budget of Rs 88 lakh in the first year after which around 66 lakh would be spent in the subsequent years, department officials said.
Another part of the scheme is related to old and retired sex workers who are living a life of penury.
"We have got a plot in Rajarhat where 100 such old and ailing sex workers would be rehabilitated. All their basic needs like food, medicines, etc would be taken care of by us," the minister said.
According to estimates by Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee which works for the rights of sex workers, there are around 4000 old sex-workers who now work as babysitters, maids, cooks or die a silent death in various brothels of the state.
The government also has a plan for minor children of sex workers who suffer from stigma when they enter mainstream society.
"A residential school would be set up at the plot where such children will be given food and education free of cost so that they can build their future," Panja said.
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