NETWORKING

NETWORKING OF DMSC OBJECTIVES:

To strengthen the movement of sex workers to secure their rights through communication

To establish contacts of sex workers with various social movements and to ensure that their voice reaches to the people of various levels of civic society

To unite for women empowerment and to create awareness and support for the recognition of sex workers as workers

To raise voice against all kinds of sexual violence, atrocities on women.

BACKGROUND

The sex workers cannot win the battle without the support of other occupational social groups. Sex workers are also women and they are part of their family and kinship. Sex work is just their occupation. Keeping in view of their gender and occupational identity, Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee tried to forge natural alliance with other women organizations and collective forums of other occupational groups. However their journey with other women organizations did not bring expected outcome, there are different views and ideologies regarding sex, sex work and sex workers. Primarily their effort to develop network with other occupational groups and with different social movements of late has brought some success.

PRESENT STATUS OF THE SEX WORKERS THROUGH NETWORKING

Network with whom and why?

With various women organization to secure the rights of sex workers as workers.

With various other marginalized people to strengthen the movement for their rights and demands for ex- domestic workers, construction workers, LGBT, Nachnis and Jhumurs of Purulia and Sabars of Paschim Medinipur, unorganized agricultural workers, Dai-Maa, Tea garden labors, Zari work laborers etc.

Network is involved in organizing, participating and creating awareness through different movements for social rights involving sex workers with other social movements of common people such as—movement for RTF(Right to food),Senior citizen allowance, Social security, minimum wages for unorganized workers, RTE(Right to education for all) and movements against child labor.

PART OF NETWORKING ACTIVITIES WHERE DMSC IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED

Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee is involved in organizing and settlement of claims/demands of sex workers and other marginalized sector of the society through networking.

Network organizes different joint movements with labor organizations and trade union to secure the rights for women.

To pursue in Govt. department, MP,MLA’s and other policy makers through meeting, deputation, communication and rally’s to highlight the claims/demands/complain of sex workers including marginal sectors women in order to secure their rights.

To pursue in Govt. department, MP,MLA’s and other policy makers through meeting, deputation, communication and rally’s to highlight the claims/demands/complain of sex workers including marginal sectors women in order to secure their rights.

To raise voice against irregularity of Maternity Benefits, Ration system, NREGA Scheme (assurance of work for 100 days) and to ensure justice and implementations of RTF (Right to food) and work for all.

To ensure payment of minimum wages as per Act and pension (allowance for senior citizens) for all the unorganized sector workers.

Organizing movements against sex violence.

PROGRESS SO FAR:

The Success of Sex Workers in Representing, Participating and leading DMSC

As joint convener of Karamajibi Mahila Parishad.

As joint convener of Sramajibi Swikriti Mancho.

As one of the member of convener committee of NTI (New Trade Initiative) WB branch.

As one of the Assistant Secretary of TUCC (Trade Union Coordination Centre) WB branch.

As one of the working committee member of Dosh Theke Dosh Hajar (A platform works against all types of sexual, atrocities on women)

As member of governing body of WB Forum of Voluntary Organization.

Network with which Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee is involved:

AINSW(All India network of sex workers)

APNSW(Asia pacific network of sex workers)

Pension Parishad(largest network of pension for all)

NTUI (largest network for unorganized labors—‘Binodini’, the trade union wing of DMSC is the founder member of WB Chapter of NTUI.)

KMP –KORMOJIBI MAHILA PARISHAD—a platform formed with 11 different unorganized women oriented profession— DMSC is the convener of KMP under NTUI.

SMJSM—Sramajibi Swikriti Mancha—a network of various unorganized workers of WB.

WBEN—West Bengal education network education for all.

Campaign against child labor.

TUCC—DMSC happens to be the member of WB State branch unit.

FEMWB—female engaged with male west Bengal—Samanta ke Saathi.

MAITREE—A network of various women organization working for justice, rights, demands and empowerment.

RTF—Right to food and right to work— DMSC IS THE CONVENOR OF THESE TWO PLATFORMS.

NTUI—DMSC is their central and state committee member.

WSS–Women against sexual violence and state sponsored atrocities on women.

ZARI workers organization.

PBKMS—Pashcim Bongo Khet Mojur Sangha.

Mid-day meal workers association.

Hawkers association.

Dai-Maa and Tea Garden workers association.

Nachni and Jhumurs of Purulia

Fish cutting /filleying workers.

Sabars and Mundas of Paschim Medinipur