After the First National Conference of Sex Workers
(1997), Friends Of Durbar has gradually increased
it's membership and expanded its horizons towards
becoming a formalized international body.
Extending solidarity to Durbar and achieving
socio-political goals apart, Friends Of Durbar
could assist by -
Providing expertise, skills,
medical and laboratory support.
Teaching and training sex
workers and their children.
Volunteering assistance to
Durbar in its programmes.
Raising funds for specific
programmes and to achieve sustainability of its
multiple activities.
The reason for formalizing Friends Of Durbar is to
develop a strong bondage with friends, well
wishers, and all those who advocate our cause and
support movements of marginalized communities
across the world.
Formalized membership.
More involvement in
increasing sustainability of Durbar and its
activities by raising funds both in India and
abroad.
Build a resource base
through its members that will strengthen
sustainability to the organization and movement.
Plans to publish a
Newsletter "Friends of Durbar: Voice and
Vision" both in print and electronic media
for wide dissemination
An e-forum for members to
share views and opinions regarding strategies of
our partnership building with broader socio
goals
An extensive update of
Durbar's present and future programme for
members.
Reports on ongoing
programmes and critiques thereof.
Access to publications and
IEC materials produced regularly by the
organization and its various other activities
involving other marginal communities in India.
Access to research and
archival materials regarding the history of the
sex workers movement in India collected,
compiled and edited by sex workers.
Facilitate active engagement
with Durbar programmes etc.
Sexual health ( STI/HIV) and
other health care services and intervention
programmes for sex workers and their clients.
Networking and advocacy among sex workers through
HIV prevention and care programmes among 30
thousand sex workers in 49 sites in the state of
West Bengal. This follows a focused intervention
strategy and is based on a new programming
principles called CLSI [Community led structural
intervention] through building solidarity and
addressing structural barriers.
Participatory and interactive educational
programmes for sex workers and their children in
Durbar run 17 non-formal schools for sex workers
and 16 other non-formal schools for sex workers'
children at different sites across West Bengal.
Promotion and propagation of cultural activities
among sex workers and their children, following a
socio-political agenda, and implemented through
Komol Gandhar - the cultural wing of DMSC.
Vocational training for sex workers' children and
retired sex workers including creating job
opportunities.
Establishing Self-regulatory Boards in sex work
sites to prevent trafficking and promote rights
based intervention programmes.
Ensuring economic security through cooperative
society run by and for sex workers. Durbar has
developed self-banking system, which ensures that
moneylenders cheat no sex worker.
Mamata Care and Treatment Centre (a VCTC) - a
programme for HIV Positive Sex workers that
provides them with weekly rations, counselling and
treatment facilities.
Marginal community development programme: Durbar
works with the Sabars, [A Pre-agriculture Tribal
community] in Amlasole (West Midnapore) and
Nachnis (untouchable women folk entertainment
workers) in Purulia and adjoining areas,
organizing them to fight for social justice and
economic rights.
