Goa's model scheme for sex worker rehabilitation
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 26 June 2013 19:52 IST
Goa has decided to rehabilitate sex workers and sexually abused women by training them; a scheme that has been acclaimed by the Supreme Court as a model scheme for the whole country.
The scheme, called Prabhat, would provide a monthly stipend of Rs 2500 for six months, during which the woman would be trained for a livelihood – employment or self-employment.
The training programme would include opportunities for jobs or setting up own enterprise like repairs of home appliance, mobile repair, beauty treatment, tailoring, bakery, catering etc.
The scheme, approved by the cabinet today, also proposes to educate the victim of commercial sexual exploitation or her children till Standard XII by bearing all her expenses including boarding, travel, fees, books, toiletries etc.
The department of women and child development has devised the scheme as per the Supreme Court order issued on 14 February 2011.
The Department would take assistance of members of reputed NGOs, trust, society, professionals or expert bodies, who are involved in rehabilitation of sex workers.
The scheme is however applicable only to the victims, who are residents of Goa.
The scheme also proposes to implement it through a monitoring committee, to be chaired by the department director, with two social workers, a police official, a psychiatrist, a businessman and two victims as its members.
The scheme also provides for shelter to the victim, psycho social services as well as heath services to treat ailments like TB or AIDS.
