My husband abandoned me with two small children to care for. We lived in Ponnur, which is a small town near Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and I had no source of income at all. We were living in very dire circumstances. A friend of mine then came and offered me help and a small place to stay. A few days later she asked me if I was interested in doing sex work to help make ends meet. She convinced me that they were all doing this to make ends meet.
Things were very challenging but I had two children to feed. There were times when I was forced to go with not just one but two men and I had to do whatever they asked me. Very often, I would not get paid for the time I spent with them. They would just ask me to leave and I would return home empty-handed.
That’s when another friend of mine called Mastani introduced me to a community organisation in Guntur that worked to rehabilitate sex workers into the mainstream workforce. I realised for the first time that I needed a ration card to buy provisions, an Aadhaar card to claim benefits or to seek the help of a police officer, lawyer, or a counsellor to safeguard my rights. Mastani also helped me start work as a flower seller.
I have been supporting my family by selling flowers. I am also a full-time member of the organisation. We get together often and discuss all our challenges and work together as a group to find solutions. There is so much I have learnt after becoming a part of this group.
For example, I never knew how important it was to have official documents for my identity and to avail benefits from the government. I also have a counsellor who helps me whenever I face any challenge.
I also actively counsel other women who have been in a situation similar to mine. I tell them that I was also once in the same circumstances. I encourage them to join the organisation, fight for the things they want in life and become a part of society. They should not be ashamed of facing people and speaking up for themselves. If they can do that then they can also bring a change in the lives of others.
I tell them that I used to be ‘foolish Rasheeda’, but today, I am ‘smart Rasheeda’.
Edited by Diya Koshy George