Sex workers attend the programme at Malisahi in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 28: Ashraya, an organisation of sex workers in the city, has decided to create awareness among its members about HIV and AIDS.

The community-based organisation that had its second round of meeting today also stressed on the need to improve one’s health.

It has already organised health check-ups for its members in Malisahi, the city’s red-light area. The group has also tied up with Sakhyam Project of the Lepra Society.

The local municipal councillor has taken the initiative to make Ashraya a success. “The Sakhyam Project of the Lepra was aimed at improving the conditions of vulnerable communities such as sex workers in urban slums. The project also makes the members become aware of their rights. The purpose is to make female sex workers understand the basics of healthy living and regular check-ups,’’ said Guru Charan Sahoo, councillor of ward no. 43.

“A mobile health care unit of the Lepra society is visiting the area to provide health facilities,” said Basanti Mohapatra, a sex worker.

Another member, Jyotshna Nayak, said: “We were aware of the risks involved in the job that we do. The involvement of the local councillor has helped us a lot. Regular interactions with the health officials and volunteers would help improve our conditions. Under the project, the voluntary organisations and counsellors too interact with the sex workers.”

An officer of the Sakhyam Project, Ranjan Kumar Roul, said their present project at Malisahi would help them in extending the project elsewhere in the city. “We have already met city mayor Ananta Narayan Jena in this regard and he had assured us cooperation from BMC in this regard,’’ he added.

At present, the sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS initiative for urban slum dwellers in the city are undertaken by the Lepra Society project in Saliasahi, Bharatpur, Niladri Vihar and Malisahi slums.