A story of Local Response by Nagaraja K. Sangama
On 21 November 2012, I visited Thiruvannamalai along with SALT teams to interact with Thiru Pengal AIDS Thadayu Sangano.
The community members are women from poor working class backgrounds. Different circumstances influence them to do sex work. Each and every member of the sex work community has their own unique pathetic life story.
Violence and harassment by police police, good us, the public had brought them together to form an association or community-based organisation.
Learnings
Persistent efforts to resolve the issues
Networking with equal minded groups will ensure the intended goal.
Advocacy activities with local leaders law enforcement authorities primary secondary and tertiary stakeholders are very important
Empowerment and sustainable development should be the prime focus of the community
These learnings can be useful for other communities.