This story is a part of our #HeroesOfTheRepublic campaign. This Republic Day, we at The Better India are celebrating those who live and breathe the values enshrined in our Constitution.

Manjula, originally from an affluent family in Ramnagara, married a village boy against her family’s wishes at the age of 16. Her initially happy life turned tumultuous after she discovered her husband’s illicit affair and faced domestic abuse.

“I decided to leave that house with my daughters,” Manjula says. Left with no financial support, Manjula took up odd jobs to make ends meet. Despite her meagre earnings, her husband would forcefully take her money, further adding to her distress.

Manjula’s life took a darker turn when her husband’s niece lured her to Chikkaballapur under the guise of offering her a job. Unbeknownst to her, she was trapped into working in a brothel, where she was forced into sex work against her will.

Manjula was deprived of basic freedoms and subjected to controlled conditions until an opportunity for escape presented itself.

In 2010, Manjula connected with an NGO, ‘Soukhya Sanjeevini Samsthe’, and managed to escape the brothel. She began working as a peer educator, participating in awareness drives concerning sexually transmitted diseases.

In 2014, she began working with a non-profit called ‘Swasti’ to strengthen her work for the welfare of sex workers.

Recognising the importance of identity rights for sex workers, she focused on helping them obtain essential documents like Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter ID cards.

This facilitated their access to social protection schemes and loans, helping them establish alternate livelihoods and improving their living conditions.

In 2015, Manjula’s dedication was recognised when she received an award from the District Commissioner. This acknowledgement not only brought her professional satisfaction but also helped her reunite with her family and daughters.

Through her work, Manjula has not only empowered herself but has also played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of 500 sex workers in her community.

“My life has changed since I escaped the brothel. Not only did I empower myself but I am also able to help many women like me,” she says.