Ahmedabad: After Kolkata, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), headquartered at New Delhi, is all set to introduce a special educational programme for sex workers and their children, in the state of Gujarat. Declaring the same, Dr Sujit K Ghosh, IGNOU Regional Director, confirmed that the discussion for the programme is on and the University is planning to launch it in this July session. However, the suitable centre for the learning for programme, still remains to be finalized.
Further explaining, he added that the main idea behind this programme is to bring them (sex workers and their children) into the mainstream, so that education can help them to enhance their capacity of being a successful individual. He further affirmed that, this programme would also help them to study in a systematic manner, as it is quite difficult for them to seek education in an institute of repute. This programme will ensure their chances for a good career.
This kind of education programme was first launched in Kolkata in the year 2008. The programme was a success there, with over 300 sex workers and their children, getting benefit of education by enrolling in it. This special educational programme allows students to become eligible for getting admission into degree programmes in any university of their choice.
As per sources, this programme will prove to be very significant for uplifting the condition of the women of Sarania community (a denotified tribe), in Vadia village of Gujarat. These women have been into prostitution as a 'tradition' for years now. The Sarania community originally hails from Rajasthan.
Apart from working on education of sex workers and their kids, IGNOU, has been offering bachelors and degree programmes to jail inmates in Gujarat. The University is also planning to start offering them a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) programme, said Ghosh.
