There are over 15,000 prostitutes that inhabit Sonagachi. Most of these sex-workers of Sonagachi are not there by choice. While some get trafficked to the red-light areas in the name of marriage, job, and love, some opt for prostitution out of desperation to feed their families.

According to the research of ECPAT, 79% of all global trafficking is for sexual exploitation and only a few lucky ones get rescued from that hellish darkness. The rest of the women end up in brothels and accept it as their fate and continue to live there. But we cannot call it their CHOICE. They are the prisoners of the circumstances.

Sign the petition to support these women to get an alternative livelihood.                 

Women, at Sonagachi, face deadly problems like rape, physical violence, substance abuse, and HIV AIDS. Despite having a strong desire for quitting the sex-trade, these victimized women hardly get a second chance to lead their life in a dignified manner. 

Recently, Anti Human Trafficking Organisation (AHTO) surveyed the sex workers of Sonagachi. 98% of them stated that they want to leave prostitution behind. They would like to take up a sustainable alternative livelihood. Many of them said that they hope to be shopkeepers, businesswomen, nurses, tailors, social workers, and beauticians. Some even want to study further and relive their lost childhood.

However, 73% of them stated that the reason behind their inability to leave the trade is that they are reeling under heavy debts which they have been forced to take from brothel keepers and other locals. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the flesh trade very hard and many of them have lost their livelihood for months and have been forced to incur debts just to sustain in life. 

This is the time for the people of Bengal to stand united in helping these women by demanding the intervention of the State Government. Sign this petition and request the State Government to come up with a rehabilitation plan for the women of Sonagachi who are victims of forced prostitution and trafficking. 

By signing this petition, let’s try to ensure that these women get a sustainable alternative livelihood option and victim funds to restart their lives. We should also insist that these women are given immediate housing and education for their children.

Sign the petition and stand up for the right cause!

Join hands and gather more support for this cause. Let’s make this world a better place for ALL.