France and Indian NGO Commemorate Decade of Abolitionist Law in Kolkata Press Conference
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the French Abolitionist Law, the Consulate General of France in Kolkata organized a significant joint press conference. This event brought together the Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution International (CAP International) and its Indian partner organization, South Kolkata Hamari Muskan (SKHM). The gathering underscored a unified commitment to eradicating the prostitution of women and girls while actively promoting sustainable livelihood alternatives for survivors.
The French Abolitionist Law: A Decade of Impact
Enacted in 2016, the French Abolitionist Law represents a landmark policy shift. It decriminalizes individuals engaged in prostitution while simultaneously holding pimps and sex buyers accountable for their actions. Furthermore, the legislation introduced comprehensive exit pathways, fundamentally centered on principles of human dignity, equality, and rehabilitation. A full decade after its implementation, France continues to champion this abolitionist model on the global stage, offering support to partner organizations like CAP International and SKHM that translate policy into tangible, on-the-ground impact.
Voices from the Frontlines: Advocacy and Testimony
"Prostitution constitutes a gross violation of fundamental human rights," stated Srabani Sarkar Neogi, Founder and Director of SKHM. "Since 2009, we have been dedicated to supporting children from Kolkata's red-light areas. Today, it is profoundly inspiring to witness many of these individuals pursuing higher education and even master's degrees. Their achievements serve as a powerful testament that meaningful, lasting change is indeed possible."
Echoing this sentiment, Héma Sibi, Director of CAP International, emphasized the systemic nature of the issue. "Prostitution is never a genuine choice; it is, in essence, the stark absence of choice," she asserted. "We urgently call for the widespread adoption of the abolitionist model, which decriminalizes those in prostitution and directly targets the exploiters—the pimps and buyers. True gender equality will remain an unattainable ideal as long as systems permit men to purchase women's bodies."
Addressing Systemic Inequalities and Marginalization
Both organizations highlighted a critical, disturbing pattern: prostitution disproportionately impacts women and girls from the most marginalized communities. In the Indian context, Dalit and Adivasi women are vastly overrepresented among the victims of this exploitation. Through survivor-led advocacy initiatives and deep, sustained grassroots engagement, CAP International and SKHM are working relentlessly to challenge and dismantle these entrenched systemic inequalities.
The EXIT Programme: Building Sustainable Futures
Their collaborative flagship initiative, known as the EXIT Programme, is creating sustainable professional alternatives for over 385 women across multiple countries, including India, Nepal, Lebanon, and Mongolia. The program's core focus is on achieving financial independence and securing long-term dignity through:
- Strategic job placements in various sectors.
- Support for entrepreneurship and small business development.
- Facilitation of diverse income-generating activities.
Within Kolkata's notorious red-light districts, such as Sonagachi and Bowbazar, SKHM plays a pivotal role. The organization assists women in transitioning out of prostitution while simultaneously empowering them to become leaders and advocates within their own communities. Furthermore, SKHM extends its crucial work to the children residing in these neighborhoods, enabling an entire generation to break free from intergenerational cycles of exploitation and to envision futures filled with genuine choice and opportunity.
A Survivor's Aspiration for a Different Future
The human impact of this work is powerfully captured in the words of Priya, a student receiving support from SKHM. "I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects prostitution has on families and children," she shared. "I refuse that life for myself. My dream is to become a doctor—to build something entirely different, something based on hope and healing." Her resolve is a beacon for change: "I represent the second generation caught in this cycle. My deepest hope is that it ends with me—that no girl who comes after me is ever forced to live this reality."
