A study on the role of NGOs in mainstreaming commercially sexually exploited women in south India

Abstract

Fulfilling the sexual need is a basic requirement of all living beings, which is a controlled behaviour in human society, as the institutions of family and marriage act as controlling agents. The practice of prostitution, which had the support of religion and society by accepting it as a necessary evil, the influence of social institution reduced the act of sexual satisfaction took a form of exploitation. With the influence of LPG, sexual exploitation turned into a trade and received a commercial touch. Gradually, it became the third biggest crime in the world after arms and drugs and demanded the intervention of government and NGOs, as well. The present study focuses on the NGO s intervention in relation to mainstreaming commercially sexually exploited women in South India. There were 32 NGOs identified for the study in South India who do not advocate legalisation but work for mainstreaming sexually exploited victims. In the present study, the mainstreaming programmes of NGOs have been divided into seven categories such as rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, prevention, development, advocacy and research. And to achieve the objectives, descriptive and diagnostic research designs have been adopted along with the tools such as Interview schedule, Interview guide and quality of life scale. From the present study it is understood that rehabilitation is an important activity adopted by all the organisations considered for the study constituting 100%, takes the first lace and prevention activity stands at second. As many as 24 organisations work on it (74.4%); reintegration/repatriation and rescue activities takes up the third place as 17 NGOs (52.7%) each adopts the programme; the next place is for developmental activities as 13 organisations (40.3%) work on it. Last but one place goes to Advocacy/lobbying as 9 organisations (29.9%) puts their efforts in the field. Andhra Pradesh is said to be the state to achieve better results in the field of advocacy by having two government orders related to the issue.