US envoy lauds steps to improve sex workers’ lot

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 19

The US Ambassador to India Richard Verma and US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power today accompanied the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal on a visit to Delhi's red light area, GB Road, to understand the conditions in which sex workers live. 

A DCW official said the ambassadors lauded the initiatives taken by the DCW on improving the health care facilities, including the supply of condoms, in the area.

The Commission has also sought support of the ambassadors and the American Chamber of Commerce for the rehabilitation project planned by the DCW for those willing to come out of the profession.

They wanted to visit GB Road and requested the DCW Chairperson to accompany them on the visit and explain to them the ground realities of the red light area. The DCW chief had a half hour meeting with them followed by a visit to a brothel," said the DCW official. 

In the meeting, the ambassadors were informed of the several issues concerning the area, including the various challenges faced by the government, the police and NGOs. 

"The delegation was shocked to realise that all the women present had been trafficked at one point of time....The sex workers raised issues of continuous harassment by the local police and inhuman conditions of the brothels," said the official.