A group representing sex workers – Rot Association of Meghalaya (RAM) – has condemned MLAs who were discussing the issue of sex workers in the Assembly this past week, calling their comments humiliating.
North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum made the comment that Khyndailad has become a pickup point for sex workers, which then drew in Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh.
“A prostitute is not by definition an alcoholic, a drug user, or a victim of a trafficking gang. Some of us even have diplomas. We do not do this by pleasure, contrary to popular belief. And we do not do anything wrong; we only satisfy our needs but we are not against the law. Things were fine until a clever comment by one of our ‘respectable lawmakers’ who stated that ‘Khyndai Lad has become a pick-up point of sex workers’ hit the papers,” a press release signed by RAM President I Kharmuti, General Secretary P Mylliemngap and Publicity Secretary D Mawlong.
The discussion exposed the sex workers “to the view of everyone, as in a market; to be publicly humiliated,” and created a “hostile and very tense climate”.
The signatories complained that they are condemned by the high and mighty of society but are not helped in any way.
“Our situation is worse than before and no alternative has been offered to us. We have decided to write this letter because our words are not shared anywhere. Our voices are not heard. Though we are the first concerned, we are barely considered as human beings in this affair,” RAM said.
Despite the authorities ignoring it, condemning it or arresting people involved in it, sex work will always exist, the association added. The only way to protect disadvantaged citizens like sex workers and “tackle the deeper problem” is solely to decriminalize sex work.
