As we learn more about the area we work in, we also learn that the issues are increasingly complex; problems are less black or white. The problems are as diverse as are the various groups working in the domain.
We have two very different articles in this issue of the newsletter.
The first one highlights recent incidents in Baina beach, in Goa, and contains excerpts from the INDEPENDENT Fact-finding Committee on the Baina issue Forum for Justice in Baina. The issue raises the following questions:
1. What is the nature of the intermediary role of the NGOs of the ground?
2. What is the most effective way of organizing such that the reaction time is fast?
3. What information needs to be prioritized and made publicly available to get the most optimistic support from the public?
4. What is the role of the media during the event?
5. Is attention to the plight of women in this situation translating into attention to the more fundamental issue of the trafficking?
6. What is the right way to engage the government?
7. What are the constraints on government officials?
Granted that there are no black and white responses to the above questions, however every organization would benefit from giving these questions some thought.
Changing centuries old customs and mindsets of people is complicated, but simple solutions steadfastly applied can certainly bring change, as the second story in this edition of Prayas would indicate.
This article presents an effort by MICDA to address an extremely complex social problem, that of the "Mathammas", women dedicated to the service of a Goddess, in an extremely poor, superstitious and illiterate community. Victims of social exploitation, often their children are the most hurt. The efforts of MICDA stand out in two aspects: simplicity of approach, and comprehensiveness of the approach.
As we learn the ropes, we hope that you all will find this platform truly useful in sharing ideas and resources, and learn as much as we have. Do write to share your thoughts and ideas. For submissions of articles, comments, and letters please write to us directly at: rmuthuswami@yahoo.com or linuslax@yahoo.com.
Prayas website: http://www.ashanet.org/focusgroups/sanctuary
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BAINA BEACH INCIDENT
Excerpts from
Report of the INDEPENDENT Fact-finding Committee on the Baina issue
Forum for Justice in Baina.
INCIDENT
In keeping with the High Court Order, the State Government decided to clear the red-light area of Baina in Goa city and, as the first step towards this direction, in the month of November cordoned off the area, isolating the sex workers from the pimps/customers, using police force. The NGOs felt this isolation deprived the women from earning their livelihood and put them to severe hardships including starvation.
Actual demolitions took place on 14th and 15th, on the orders of the Government, during heavy monsoons, throwing women, men and children into the streets to brave the heavy monsoons. The FFC (Fact Finding Committee) visited the Baina area on 18th June to find that a large portion of the area was demolished, with residents sitting in groups amongst the debris, a portion of them having found shelter in a nearby building under construction. A great number of men women and children were housed in a sports complex at Bhutem Bhat, our estimation of which should be about 250 to 300 families whose children, little realizing the misfortune that had befallen them, were playing on the sports ground, some begging for food and clothes and others for exercise books and pens.
SOME OBSERVATIONS:
We feel that the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW) should have played a more pro-active role in the entire rehabilitation process right from the date of the Order of the High Court (21.7.2003) or from the day the NCW received the Order, specially since the directions of the Hon. High Court were based largely on the report of the Inquiry Committee headed by Justice Kamat (Retd) appointed by the National Commission for Women.
We have found that there has been absolutely lack of coordination and cooperation between all the agencies i.e. the NGOs, National Commission for Women, State Commission for Women and the State Government, who should have been working collectively for rehabilitating the CSWs. There have been a lot of internal conflicts and misunderstanding. All the Agencies should have worked in tandem as per the directions of the Hon. High Court and Supreme Court, if the main objective of rehabilitating the CSWs and cleansing of the area of immoral activities was to be achieved.
The Government has prepared a Rehabilitation Plan based on the Interim Report submitted by the agency appointed through the Goa State Commission for Women. However, the Government has demolished and razed the area contrary to the directions of the High Court, the CDPR's Interim Report and its own Rehabilitation Plan. The plight of the Baina CSWs, the bar owners, the shop keepers and many others who have not have been connected with the flesh trade, is pathetic and indeed pitiable, because they have all been shunned and despised by none other than the ones who are required to uphold the Law.
Contact Arz for clarifications and comments: Arun Pandey (arz_goa@rediffmail.com)
Full document can be read at:
http://www.ashanet.org/focusgroups/sanctuary/newsletter.htm
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The Mathamma practice, resulting social exploitation, and efforts to eradicate it
-An effort by MICDA
Dr. R. Subbaramaiah, Sunil Laxman
INTRODUCTION
Eradication of a social problem requires intensive effort by both the community and the social workers
Mathamma is social practice prevalent amongst the Madiga community of Andhra Pradesh, where a girl is dedicated to the service of Goddess of Mathamma. She spends the rest of the life in her service. She is debarred from social marriage, and the entire community regards her as a community property. To survive, a Mathamma resorts to sex work. Throughout her life, she remains degraded as a commercial sex worker.
The primary objective of MICDA has been to eradicate the social custom. To do so, the community, especially the girls, need to be educated; the role of the Kula panchayat (traditional caste council), which plays a major role in promoting the traditions, has to be abolished for it is the panchayat; and economic programs have to be implemented so that the women can become financially independent.
PROCESS AND PROGRESS
-The primary factors contributing to the Mathamma practice were identified through a workshop where the elders of the community, the Mathammas, the NGOs, the social workers, and the experts in this social field participated.
-A comprehensive survey by the social workers followed to identify problems specific to each of their respective mandals, and this data was compiled and assimilated.
-The critical factors that has led to continued observance of the practice are mass illiteracy, poor awareness of modern medicine and health, and some community leader support for the practice, along with widespread poverty and lack of education and government support services. Hence the project staff focused on addressing these issues.
-A major effort was made to prevent the annual Mathamma dance festival, by forming small teams of the social workers, and using some assistance from the local police and revenue officials. The Madiga community youth, and those employed in government jobs, were specifically roped in to this task. Social workers explained the root causes and consequences of dedicating these girls to the Mathamma practices. Their efforts were largely rewarded, and Mathamma "Kolupus" were prevented in most habitations, and where there was more resistance, the festival took place this year only in a low-key way.
-A mandal wise list of Mathammas was formed (and this revealed that the majority of the Mathammas were below 30). It was found that most young child Mathammas were dedicated due to some illness. These children were mobilized for immediate medical care in referral hospitals. Successful treatment of the children, and awareness building resulted in de-dedication of many children. All the children were readmitted into schools. Other dedicated girls/women were encouraged to reenter the mainstream. Some were encouraged to marry their longtime partners, and MICDA carried out some marriages. Family planning operations were encouraged as well. Significant progress is being made.
-A major effort is ongoing in improving health awareness in the community. This includes improving access of the community to preventive/curative health practices like immunization, pre-natal and postnatal checkups etc. We are also promoting deliveries of babies in hospitals in an effort to reduce neonatal/infant and maternal mortality.
Online resources, information and contacts:
http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=409
Information and reports about the school are available at:
http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=111
Photographs from a recent site visit (Sunil Laxman):
http://photos.yahoo.com/micda2004