‘Forced to Choose’: Bacchara Women’s Experiences in Sex Work

Abstract

In this qualitative study, we have attempted to explore the experiences of women of Bachhara community in Madhya Pradesh, India. The tradition of community sanctioned sex work is prevalent in this community, which often forces the women to enter into it. The study setting was three villages of Mandsaur District and one village of Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, India. We have interviewed 23 women participants involved in sex work. The study s findings underline that family coercion, community norms, and lack of livelihood alternatives are the major contributing factors for women s entry into sex work. The instances of violence, stigmatization, and discrimination are the women s dominating experience in sex work. The study reveals that the badge of criminal tribes during the colonial rule continues to push this community on the margins and subject to multiple deprivations, especially the women folks. This research implies that urgent interventions are required to address the current state of the Bachhara community.