Click to play videoMumbai: It's 45 year old Indra's first day at the bank. A sex worker by profession, Indra was apprehensive of being turned away the first time she went to open her first savings account. But thanks to the initiative of the NGO – Population Services International, Sangini Co-operative Bank has been opened exclusively for sex workers.
"We thought we would open a bank where we would ask no questions, no proof about the women,” says State Director, Population Services International, Dr Shilpa Merchant.
Just three months into operations, the bank already has 1,000 members, and a total capital of over Rs 9 lakh. All women are given an identity card and a passbook thereby empowering them to manage their own finances.
"I can use it when I fall sick, give it to my children. My parents will also need it,” says Indra.
The bank has also opened a co-operative store that sells grains at cheaper rates. Soon they also intend to start micro financing operations and many like Yamuna hope to realise their long-cherished dreams with the money.
"My dream is that my children study well, grow up, get good jobs and get married,” says Yamuna.
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