What challenges did sex workers face during voter registration?

Many sex workers struggled to provide parental names as they were estranged from their families, some for over 40 years.

Why were sex workers in Sonagachhi filling out voter forms?

Sex workers in Sonagachhi were actively participating in a voter registration drive to ensure their inclusion in electoral rolls.

Will missing family details affect voter registration in Sonagachhi?

Sex workers expressed concern that missing family links might impact their registration status, prompting questions to election officials

Home / Lifestyle / Beyond Makeup: Kolkata's Sex Workers Prioritize Civic Duty

Beyond Makeup: Kolkata's Sex Workers Prioritize Civic Duty

20 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Sex workers in Kolkata's Sonagachhi prioritized voter registration over business.
Many sex workers struggled to provide family details for voter forms.
Community members questioned if missing family links would affect their status.

Beyond Makeup: Kolkata's Sex Workers Prioritize Civic Duty

In Kolkata's historic Sonagachhi red-light district, sex workers put their livelihoods aside to participate in voter registration. Election officials, known as BLOs, visited the area, assisting the women with form submissions and addressing their concerns. A significant number of sex workers are estranged from their families, making it challenging to provide required parental names on the forms.

This lack of familial connection led to anxieties among the sex workers, with some fearing that incomplete information might lead to their disenfranchisement. The BLOs reported receiving numerous calls and queries, dedicating their time to guide and reassure residents, some of whom have lived in Sonagachhi for decades.