Ensure sex workers in India have access to sexual reproductive health services

Ensure sex workers in India have access to sexual reproductive health services
We must ensure that every woman receives SRH services she needs — without being shamed or judged. No country will be fully developed unless all its women are safe and healthy

Jun 08, 2018
Sonal Mehta and Shamnu Rao

Geeta, 18, (name changed) came to Delhi hoping to support her impoverished family, back in her village in Uttar Pradesh. She did not anticipate that the man who promised her employment would sell her into sex work. When she approached the nearest health facility for an abortion, the doctor on learning of her occupation denied her services. Although she was not a minor, he asked for her parents’ consent, citing that she was unmarried. While the abortion was eventually provided when a local community leader intervened, Geeta realised that she and other women in sex work would always struggle to access safe abortion services.

The consequences of the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services can be dire for women.

Continued: https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/ensure-sex-workers-in-india-have-access-to-sexual-reproductive-health-services/story-RVTvzu1CealCKvwi8j3WxH.html