A campaign is under way in Odisha’s migration-prone districts to sensitise migrant women workers about sexual exploitation.

Background:

• Now, 300 women are undergoing an orientation programme in the State that seeks to empower them to raise their voices against any type of sexual exploitation and ensure the safety of accompanying vulnerable adolescent girls.
• The Western Odisha Migration Network, a civil society organisation, with support from organisations such as Aide et Action, Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women and Aaina are working on a database of women migrant worker leaders.
• They have also created a list of potential migrant women and adolescent girls. A register is being introduced in all these six panchayats to track migration of all age groups.
• Sexual exploitation of women migrant workers from Odisha is widely regarded to be pronounced. There have been a number of legal instruments to deal with sexual harassment in the informal sector.
• But their agonising and harrowing ordeal mostly remains under wraps. They often suffer silently with no one to back them or confront their tormenters. As there is no such complaint committee where grievances can be redressed.
• Important helpline numbers are being circulated among women workers for intimation in the event of an exigency. Women as dignified workers have the right to work in a non-exploitative environment outside the State and come back.