They've Faced Pain All Their Lives, These S*x Workers Can Now Have A Safe Home With Your Help

“When they first started asking me about my past and how I landed here, I was suspicious. Why so many questions? What do they want to know? Will they take us to the police? I had so many fears. But slowly, trust started building between us and now Kat-Katha and its people are my closest friends. I confide my deepest secrets in them and I know they will be with me through thick and thin,” - Kamli*, erstwhile s*x worker in GB Road, Delhi.  

Kat-Katha has been functional for the last four years at GB Road, in Delhi with the sole vision to “End Forced S*x work”. Over the years Kat-Katha, a NGO has been quietly transforming G.B. Road brothels into classrooms, and safe spaces for the women and their children to learn, explore creative arts, and come alive with a sense of connection, expression, and possibility. 

Sisterhood of Kat-Katha

Kat-Katha provides women s*x workers with caring support and the chance to pursue a basic education, develop job-related skills for alternate livelihoods and help them be a part of the mainstream society. These s*x workers are referred to as ‘didi’ or sisters by the volunteers of Kat-Katha.  

“It is very important that they feel comfortable with us and allow us to help them. If they treat us as outsiders, there is no way that we would be able to help them. These women, they’re like our elder sisters and that’s how we build a relationship with them. We help them fight their battles - legal, mental health related or even financial,” - Geetanjali, Founder, Kat-Katha. 

In an attempt to make their endeavours holistic, Kat-Katha also works closely with the children of these Didis by establishing an activity centre for education, self-exploration, creative endeavours, social exchange programs and self-reflection.  

Pandemic served a huge blow to G.B. Road and its s*x workers 

During the COVID pandemic, for the first time, the s*x workers in G.B. Road realised that s*x work can never be a regular source of income. The hygiene concerns, the fear of the contagion and the lethal nature of the disease resulted in a reduction of the number of clients for the s*x workers. 

“That’s when Didis decided to leave s*x work for good and get involved in other means of livelihood with the help of Kat-Katha. Although housing so many of them has been a challenge, this is one of the most exhilarating moments in our experience. We want to help all of them get a safe and happy home - something that they deserve. In the 2400 acres of land that we have, we want to build a home that is close to nature and similar to their village homes.”  

Kat-Katha needs your support for this 

Kamli and many more like her deserve a happy and comfortable life. They want to be respected and want to be a part of mainstream society. For years now, Kat-Katha has been dedicatedly working towards the same. Now, they need your support to build a home for these women - you can help them by donating construction materials. Even a small contribution from your side will be monumental in bringing about a positive change in the lives of these women.  

*- name changed to maintain confidentiality

About Kat-Katha:  Registered under the Societies Registration act 1860, Kat-Katha was born on the streets of GB Road, the largest red-light area in the National capital region. They have worked with more than 800 women and children living in the brothels and have helped transform their lives. Founded and shaped by experienced, passionate and professional social agents, Kat-Katha has today established itself as an organization synonymous with trust, respect and deliverability among its diverse stakeholders.