Delegates at the meet in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, June 28: Flesh trade needs to be ended, but it is only possible by bringing about development among women and their children living in red light areas.

This was the crux of the state-level meet organised by Mahila Development Centre, a non-government organisation at a city hotel today.

The event saw representation of a number of activists who work in red-light areas in the state. Most of the activists came from Bettiah, Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur. They shared their experiences and also spoke about problems they face while working. Nisha Jha, the chairperson of Bihar Child Rights Protection Commission was the chief guest on the occasion.

Jha said: “People from different NGOs are against using the term red light area to denote the workplace of the sex workers. This harms their (sex workers’) children. It becomes difficult for them to get out of the environment. I have been working for underprivileged children but I feel that the society needs to develop from all corners. We should listen to their grievances, their problems and help them and their children in joining the mainstream society.”

Asha Kiran, the deputy director of Mahila Development Centre, said: “Mahila Development Centre is a community-based initiative of women in prostitution in the Chaturbhuj Asthan red light area of Muzaffarpur, from 1992. Some women decided to start this organisation under the leadership of Paramhans Prasad Singh (a social activist). Their aim was to prevent their sisters from being exploited through sex trafficking.”

Kiran added: “Our organisation has been successful in rehabilitating these women. We are conducting awareness activities in Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Sitamarhi and Bettiah. Our community health care centre deals with regular health checks of dwellers in red light areas, medicines, counselling, treatment and consultation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus patients. We also provide family and life-skill education.”