Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Jun 30: The Durbar Mahila Samanway Committee (DMSC), one of India’s largest collectives of sex workers, has welcomed the recent Supreme Court judgment stating that the consent of adult sex workers must be the primary consideration while taking decisions related to their rehabilitation.

DMSC, which emerged from the Sonagachi Project in Kolkata, said the ruling was an important recognition of the rights, dignity and agency of adult sex workers. The organisation highlighted that rehabilitation measures cannot be imposed without considering the wishes and choices of individuals involved.

The Sonagachi Project is a community-led HIV prevention initiative that has received global recognition for reducing HIV transmission while focusing on empowerment, health awareness and collective action among sex workers.

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s observation, DMSC stressed that trafficking and consensual adult sex work are two different realities and should not be treated as the same.

The organisation said while trafficking involves exploitation, coercion and violation of rights, consensual adult sex work involves adults making choices regarding their livelihoods. It emphasised that policies and interventions must distinguish between the two to ensure justice and effective support.

DMSC has long advocated for the rights of sex workers, including access to healthcare, legal protection, social security and freedom from stigma and discrimination.

The collective said the Supreme Court’s emphasis on consent would help strengthen a rights-based approach and ensure that rehabilitation efforts are carried out with respect for individual autonomy rather than through forced measures.

The judgment is expected to influence future approaches towards rehabilitation and protection of vulnerable communities, with activists stressing the need for a balanced framework that addresses exploitation while safeguarding the rights of consenting adults.