Sex workers with attitude: shock. Outrage. Middle-class morality suitably scandalized. The reactions were predictable. Even Mari Marcel Thekaekara wasn't quite sure what to expect from a co-operative of sex workers—and in communist kolkata of all places, where co-ops are usually of the party, for the party and by the party. Then she went to find out for herself

New Internationalist, June, 2004 by Mari Marcel Thekaekara

The DMSC is possibly the only organization of sex workers in India which states clearly and unambiguously that its purpose is not to 'rehabilitate' sex workers--that it exists to fight for their rights. It is explicit about its political objective of fighting for recognition of their work as work and of themselves as workers, and for a secure social existence for them and their children. Durbar also seeks to reform laws that criminalize them and impinge on their human rights. Similarly, USHA is clear that it exists not for 'economic rehabilitation' but to provide financial support in a crisis and to prevent economic exploitation. Its major victory has been to liberate the women--and disempower the pimp-money-lender-trafficker nexus.

Such phenomenal growth made professional management a necessity. With its technical expertise and infrastructure, USHA now serves as the major financial institution for the entire range of sex workers' organizations affiliated to Durbar. Each of these was started to combat one particular problem.

The Sramjeebee Mahila Sangha aims to stop the violence of local hoodlums and thugs. The Binodini Shramik Union hopes to join the larger international labour movement to fight for the rights and recognition of sex workers as workers. Komol Gandhar promotes music, dance and theatre troupes.

The Saathi Sangathan, or Companions Collective, was formed to get the babus--nonpaying partners of the sex workers, who live with them, often fathering children--to support the fight against the violence and coercion routinely meted out to sex workers and their children. Berabhenge ('Tearing Fences') is designed for kids who are haunted by the fact that they do not know who their father is. Often they become the butt of cruel jokes in school when their personal histories leak out. The stigma causes many to drop out of school. Rahul Niketan and Indubala Abasik Vidyala are residential homes--kids live there and go to nearby schools.

Durbar has created 27 'Self Regulatory Boards' to prevent 'trafficking' of women and minors, stop coercion and ensure that those who enter the trade do so with consent and in full knowledge of what the job entails. Durjoy ('Hard to Vanquish') Durbar has just been registered to formalize the loose affiliation of all the myriad groups.

The medical intervention which was the basis for everything has been hugely successful. This was what created trust between the women and the medical team and was the entry point into the area. It began with small clinics in the heart of the district so that women could use them easily and freely. A great deal of work is done for those with HIV/AIDS. Hotline and counselling centres have been set up and an army of health workers criss-crosses the territory, trying to be available when needed.

Durbar and USHA are unique because they are owned and managed completely by the community--not by an NGO, not by men in suits, not by middle-class professionals or consultants. It is clearly their organization.