The pandemic has brought the world to a stand-still affecting the livelihood of millions of people. It has come in two waves so far killing lakhs of people many of whom have left orphans behind.

The condition of sex workers in Sangli, a district in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, was no different. Already marginalized, the scuffle for survival and to make ends meet, intensified for these sex workers. Many went deeper into debt, bereft of healthcare and food. Though help poured in last year, essentials being provided, doctors coming for covid -19 tests, but after that the condition of the sex workers is dismal.2021 has been tougher than before
As states issued lockdowns to curb the Covid-19 virus from spreading, many sex workers and daily wage labourers, turned to their home towns away from the cities. Sex workers constitute a part of India’s informal workforce, devoid of any securities. They are looked down upon and are victims of rampant abuse.
The second wave of Covid-19, gulfed the country in horror, where Covid-19 related deaths increased tremendously. It is recorded that around 170,000 died in April and May alone. But now when the daily number of Covid -19 cases are at the lowest, India is slowly coming back to normalcy. The States have allowed reopening of business and people are returning back to the cities to find work.
The sex workers of Sangli now say that there has been a steady rise in the number of customers. Sunita Mallick a 30-year-old sex worker recounts her misery. “I had to endure a lot of suffering; I have borrowed money from people”.
The next hurdle in front of activists, helping these sex workers, is to raise awareness about hygiene and vaccination. According to a few sex workers of Sangli, many of them have received one dose of vaccine and are waiting for the second.
The uncertainty about the future looming over the minds of people has only worsened in the second year of the pandemic. Many don’t even know their own future.