Documentary: Indian Sex Workers as Agents of Change

A note from filmmaker Audacia Ray: Back in September, my job at the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) sent me to India with my co-worker Khushbu Srivastava to do media training and documentation of our partners in the country.  One of the organizations, SANGRAM, works to ensure equal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. Over 6,000 women in rural India have participated in HIV testing as a result of these efforts. Drawing on 15 years of work to empower marginalized communities to claim their rights, SANGRAM is becoming an increasingly strong advocate nationally, and globally for health policies and programs that are responsive to the real-life needs of local communities. For the last twelve years, they’ve worked with sex workers – women and trans people who are some of the most marginalized folks in their communities – to stand up for their rights against abusive cops, the government, and the public health system.

While I was with the amazing folks at SANGRAM, I shot more than 6 hours of video footage, took more than 400 photos, and took many many notes. This five and a half minute video is the first of several pieces of online media that we’re producing in collaboration with SANGRAM to document their work and the work of the fierce sex workers they collaborate with and support in their struggle to have their rights recognized and respected. I learned so much from my time with them, I hope you enjoy the video!