This Mother's Day, Nonprofit Highlights the Struggles Prostitute Mothers Face in India

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2011

Eugene, OR, May 5, 2011 – In light of Mother’s Day, India Partners (www.IndiaPartners.org) interviewed a focus group of prostitute mothers from the red-light districts of Mumbai, regarding their daily struggles in raising children while working in the sex trade.

Trapped in the trade by poverty, debt, force or coercion, many prostitute mothers face the dangers of raising children amidst slums, drugs, alcohol, lack of supervision and abuse. A lack of resources prevents the women from providing suitable care for their children. They are forced to choose between spending time with their children and working to provide food for them to eat. When given a 10 or 15 minute break between customers, the women often rush to see their children.

For many prostitutes, motherhood gives them a reason to live. Being a mother gives them a new identity, making them more than just a prostitute. One woman said that the highlight of her day is when her kids come running toward her with a big hug. “All the trauma and torture seem insignificant at that very moment,” she said.

If able to grant their children one wish, many women wanted them to get a good education, a stable job and a better standard of living. They felt education was a powerful tool that could protect their kids from being exploited.

India Partners provides both women and children in up to seven red-light areas the opportunity for an education and a better future through three safe homes. At the safe homes, women and children receive food, shelter, education, counseling and medical care. Women are taught self-sufficient trades, such as sewing or embroidery, and the children receive a safe place to grow and develop.

India Partners also takes short term volunteer teams of counselors to India to train the Indian staff who work with the women and children. If you would like more information about India Partners’ work in the red-light districts, please visit www.IndiaPartners.org or call toll free 1-877-874-6342.

About India Partners:
India Partners is a conduit to a broad group of indigenous, faith-based grassroots agencies in India focused on alleviating poverty and injustice. India Partners believes in helping the people of India help themselves, regardless of caste, religion, gender or creed. We seek support from others who share our passion to empower change.

Press Contact Only: Kaytie Fiedler
Tel: 503.309.4217