Page 115 - KDU Law Journal Volume 4 Issue 2

KDU Law Journal Volume 04 Issue II
September, 2024
DMSC’s anti-trafficking arm is made up of these boards, which work
to make sure that all sex trade rules are followed.
The DMSC’s HIV AIDS consciousness besides deterrence program
continues to be a major component of the organization’s operations.
The following facts and figures demonstrate that the program has been
an incredible success The program was started in 1992 and was very
effective. By 2001, the percentage of sex workers who used condoms
had increased from as low as 4% to anywhere from 65% to 80%. 19

The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) appreciated the
Sonagachi project the most because the incident of HIV among the
sex workers in the area is between 8 and 10%, compared to nearly
60% in Mumbai’s Kamathipura red light area, successful HIV/AIDS
intervention project in India targeting the sexual workers. 20

The World Health Organization has also designated it as a “perfect
scheme” and a “best practice” aimed at HIV/AIDS treatment. The
social marketing of condoms is yet another DMSC initiative that has
contributed to an increase in condom use. In this method, skilled sex
workforces sell condoms to additional sex labourers at a lower, funded
price.
The DMSC’s three national conferences of sex workers held from
1997 to 2001 were one of its major achievements. Over 5,000
21
sex workers across India and the subcontinent attend each of these
three-day conferences, making them a huge success. In addition to
22
notable authors and other intellectuals, panellists after the West Bengal

19 Mishra, G. et al, ‘Protecting the Rights of Sex Workers: The Indian Experience’, Mishra,
G. and Chandramani, R (eds.), ‘Sexuality, Gender, and Rights’ (New Delhi, Sage Publishers,
2005), 89, 104
20 HIV Prevention Among Sex Workers in India <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
articles/PMC2826108/> accessed on 19 August 2024
21 “Indian Sex Workers Case Study” <http://www.eldis.org/gender/dossiersjIndiasexworkers.
htm> accessed on 05 March 2023
22 Nag, M., “Sex Workers in Sonagachi”, Economic and Political Weekly, Dec. 3rd, 2005, <http://
www.epw.org.inj showArticles.php?root=2005&leaf=12&filename=9417&filetype=html>
accessed on 05 March 2023
law.faculty@kdu.ac.lk
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