Into the red-light district

Jane Lee, CMS study partner in Bangkok, visits Pune, India.

It’s not yet 11 in the morning, but business in the red light district of Pune is thriving. According to CMS mission partner Dr Lalita Edwards some men come looking for sex as early as 6am. Out goes my Bangkok-formed notion that red light districts come alive only at night.

There are some 6,000 prostitutes in Budhwarpeth, Pune; each brothel houses between 20 and 30 women in dirty, run-down premises.

Two women take me around - both are veterans of the trade and have become sort-of community leaders. They give out free condoms and educate their younger colleagues on sexually transmitted diseases.
Sensing that the sights, sounds and leering stares of the men are overwhelming me, they sandwich me protectively between them.

It’s dark inside because there are no windows. The space has been partitioned into small cubicles – each just big enough for a narrow metal-frame bed. No doors – only a curtain for privacy.

Dr Edwards has been running a free clinic here for two years. The youngest girl she’s treated was just 11 years old – for gonorrhoea. Later I hear there’s been a raid nearby. Thirteen young girls rescued and four brothel-owners arrested.

Many women are trying to work themselves out of debt. Most younger ones have been bought by the madam, and the earnings service their debt.

One prostitute who is under no obligation to stay in the trade explains, “This is the only job I know. What else can I do? People outside will always look down on us. So it’s better to stay and work here.”

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