In a recent police action against sex workers—picked up twice in separate instances and allegedly subjected to pushing and pulling during detention—has sparked concern. Authorities have justified the crackdown citing a rise in HIV/AIDS cases, along with complaints about their presence near religious institutions during nighttime.
However, the situation goes far beyond immediate law enforcement.
A key legal reference remains the landmark ruling in Budhadev Karmaskar vs State of West Bengal, where the Supreme Court of India affirmed that sex workers are entitled to dignity and equal protection under the law. The court explicitly directed that police must not harass or abuse individuals engaged in sex work. The recent visuals, however, raise questions about whether these directives are being practised.
Adding to the complexity is the absence of a designated red-light area in the region. Unlike other states where such zones exist, the lack of a structured space has led to scattered and often hidden operations. This increases vulnerability to exploitation while making it harder for health workers to conduct outreach, particularly in controlling HIV transmission.
While the rise in HIV/AIDS cases is a legitimate concern, public health experts argue that enforcement-heavy approaches may be counterproductive. Crackdowns often drive sex workers underground, disrupt access to testing and treatment, and weaken trust between vulnerable communities and authorities.
Another critical gap is the absence of a concrete rehabilitation policy. Without viable options, many remain trapped in the profession.
Equally significant is the stigma attached to sex work. Social judgment and exclusion often ensure that even those who wish to leave the profession find no acceptance, no employment opportunities, and no support system. This stigma becomes a barrier as strong as poverty itself—locking many women into a cycle they struggle to escape.
The reasons women enter sex work are deeply rooted in socio-economic realities. Poverty, lack of education, single motherhood, domestic violence, abandonment, and in some cases trafficking, continue to push individuals into the trade as a means of survival rather than choice.
A balanced approach is urgently needed. Immediate steps could include sensitisation of police personnel and improved healthcare access. Long-term solutions would require a structured rehabilitation framework backed by funding, along with efforts to reduce social stigma.
The Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with medical and legal experts, must conduct a thorough survey to determine at least an approximate number of sex workers in the state. Each sex worker must be provided with a card similar to an EPIC. This card will have details such as blood group and certification that the person is not HIV+. There should be support for the children of sex workers too.
At a time when Meghalaya takes pride in being a matrilineal society—where lineage and inheritance are traced through women—this issue presents an opportunity to lead by example. Can the state extend that ethos of respect and dignity to all women, including those on the margins?
For now, the crackdown highlights a larger truth—removing visibility does not eliminate the problem. Without addressing root causes and societal attitudes, enforcement risks pushing an already vulnerable population further into the shadows.
Banner image by Alexey Demidov from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-red-coat-standing-on-the-road-11006318/
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