Jaipur: Imagine a place where birth of a male child is despised while a female is celebrated. It might appear to be in contrast with the current societal pattern but for Satia women of Karmawas and Sanwarada villages in Barmer district, a girl child is considered more ‘valuable’. Moreover, here a male is known not by his father’s name but mother’s name in the school. The reason is that Satia women in these villages indulge in prostitution and a male member is not considered good for ‘business’. Around 125 kilometres from Barmer are located the two adjoining villages of Karmawas and Sanwarada. Although a distance of 5 kilometres separates the two villages, the activities that take place here are well-known in the area. Interestingly, it’s not poverty that has driven the women into prostitution. Instead, the world’s oldest profession runs since generations in these villages. “The elders have told us that prostitution was rampant in the area even before independence. Girls were brought here from various places. They used to serve as sex workers for the wealthy and powerful people of the time. Over time, it became a family business here,” said Mahesh (name changed on request), a resident of Sanwarada village. Interestingly, a primary school has been started in the area where children are enrolled by their mother’s name, instead of father’s name. “Since most women take to this profession at an early age of 15-16 years, they do not get married,” said Mahesh. Sources in police department said that many male members in the two villages work as pimps. An NGO representative who worked in the area on health related issues said, “Many men from these villages work as pimps. The elderly women in these houses are comfortable and do not see anything wrong in prostitution.” (Source)
