Beautiful Women
A glimpse into the life of sex workers
Duration – 6
min 40 secs
‘Beautiful Women’ is a straightforward 7-minute video
on the profiles of female sex workers and positive people, who are pushed into
the flesh trade by various sets of circumstances. Swagati, a project launched
by HLFPPT brought together over lakh sex workers under community based
organizations in an effort to improver their health seeking behavior with
respect to various diseases including HIV/AIDS. In this journey many of the sex
workers gained confidence through leadership promotion and demonstrated
solidarity in addressing stigma, violence and discrimination. Swagati brought
tremendous changes in their lives in terms of mobilizing them around their
rights, consciousness, empathy among peer members and engaging in public
policy. Women leaders were able to raise many issues in the public domain with
respect to their entitlements (such as ration cards) and human rights (violence
by men and police)
The current video gets close to the women of three
categories by age-wise (20s, 30-35 and above 40s) to give viewer an insight
into various facets of their lives, which are well articulated in terms of social
stigma, discrimination, basic needs, education of children, shelter and alternate
livelihoods. The video a visual delight captures the personal experiences of
the female sex workers from high-risk groups to home-based sex workers. Children
of the sex workers articulate the trauma and tribulations they faced in private
and public space. The film dovetails a rich milieu of women who brave odd
circumstances and move ahead overcoming poverty, deprivation and marginalization.
The editing of the video projects realistic situations giving viewer an
opportunity to engage and involve with the protagonists. The video has been
shot in feature mode combining aesthetics and grammar to transport viewer
through a vivid experience.
There are five segments in overall structure of the
video focusing on poverty and circumstances, stigma & discrimination,
Identity and hurdles, coming together under Swagati, needs & aspirations.
These segments would in a way bind the film, giving viewer to connect with
various issues, concerns and challenges of the community. It engages viewer and
provides an emotional connect to the plight of the most vulnerable women. The
film gives an opportunity for the HLFPPT to open up public debate and
discussion with the viewers on various aspects of lives.
The video structure as well as form will engage viewer
to understand to think, and promote empathy to one of the most vulnerable
sections of the society. The video’s content will not impose any value systems
and beliefs that are external to the viewer.
HLFPPT intends to use this video for fund raising gatherings to be conducted
to diverse set of stakeholders- FICCI bodies, women CEOs forum, local trade
associations, college students, industry and government intuitions. HLFPPT
travelled with women sex workers around health issues for over seven years, but
it’s not sufficient to address various other needs of the large constituency of
the community. The video will help in bringing focus on these NEEDS to reach
out to the most marginalized women of our society, who are not only invisible
but also the most exploited. The film portrays
women as confident community that is struggling in day-to-day lives. The video
edit will transport viewer to various dimensions of their LIFE, perhaps
positive elements though.
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