Celebrated at birth, pushed into sex work

A growing number of women from Madhya Pradesh’s Banchhada community are challenging a long-standing tradition that pushes young girls into sex work, as education and social intervention begin to offer alternative futures.

For generations, many families belonging to the Banchhada community in western Madhya Pradesh have followed a deeply entrenched practice in which girls are expected to enter sex work after reaching adolescence. Today, however, a growing number of women and social organisations are working to break this cycle by prioritising education, employment, and financial independence for the next generation.

The Banchhada community, a de-notified tribe with an estimated population of around 25,000 people spread across 78 villages in the districts of Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Ratlam, has long faced social and economic marginalisation. Within sections of the community, girls have traditionally been viewed as the primary earners, while families depend on their income for survival.

Women who have left the profession describe the challenges of escaping a system rooted in poverty, social norms, and limited economic opportunities. Many say motherhood became a turning point, motivating them to ensure their daughters pursued education instead of entering the same cycle of exploitation.

According to social workers active in the region, an estimated 10,000 women, including nearly 3,000 girls, continue to be affected by the practice. Many girls reportedly discontinue their education after Class 8 or Class 9, after which they face pressure to contribute to household income. Activists argue that economic vulnerability, lack of educational opportunities, and social acceptance of the practice continue to sustain the cycle.

Community-based organisations have increasingly focused on counselling families, supporting school education, and creating alternative livelihood opportunities for women. These interventions seek to reduce financial dependence on traditional practices while encouraging greater awareness about children’s rights and access to education.

Experts working on rehabilitation emphasise that ending the practice requires more than law enforcement. Sustainable change depends on improving educational access, expanding skill development programmes, strengthening social welfare schemes, and creating employment opportunities that provide families with viable alternatives.

The experiences of women who have successfully left the profession illustrate that long-standing social practices can change when communities gain access to education, institutional support, and economic opportunities. While significant challenges remain, the growing number of girls continuing their studies reflects gradual progress towards breaking an intergenerational cycle of exploitation.