Plight of sex workers presented in pictures

City-based photographer Sudhir Shetty has brought together a powerful portrayal of the living conditions of sex workers in red light areas of Pune and Mumbai.

A photography exhibition on the theme inaugurated at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat here on Sunday.

In the wake of a recent expert committee constituted by the State government for strengthening of legal framework pertaining to sexual assault cases, the photographer also hopes express his views on dealing with the situation, based on his research in the field.

The committee, which was formed earlier this month, is expected to submit its recommendations within three months. Shetty was of the opinion that the committee should look into the possibility of creating 'Free Zones' similar to those in some foreign nations.

“This would go a long way in checking sexual assaults and would also ensure better health and safety access for the women involved,” he said.

The exhibition was a collection of 110 photographs portraying the lives of sex workers in two of the largest red light areas in the country. Shetty has worked for over two years to put these photographs together.

He attributed the exhibition to his experience of more than two decades assisting for films and documentaries, some on the lives of slum dwellers, that helped him gain deeper understanding of the situation of these women.

Litterateur K S Nisar Ahmed, who inaugurated the event, said one did not fulfill his or her responsibility by merely feeling sympathetic for the women’s plight, but one must muster enough courage to intervene and bring about change in their living conditions. Information Minister R Roshan Baig was present on the occasion.