Nagpur, Dec 4 : To project their identity to the world and seeking social acceptance, the sex workers here on Thursday (December 03), walked the ramp at a fashion show hosted in the city.

Dressed in attractive attire of different Indian states, they walked the ramp as part of the ''World AIDS Week'' event.

The event was orgainised by the Nagpur chapter of the Red Cross Society of India, Nagpur with an aim to infuse a sense of self-confidence among sex workers.

"The objective of this event was to generate confidence in them (sex workers). They should also feel that they are competent and can do something in life and the idea was to make them self-confident," said R P Singh, Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Nagpur.

The participant sex workers expressed their delight to be a part of such a fashion show adding that it was a healthy past time and a change for them.

"I liked today''s programme. We want that sometimes such programmes should be organised. It''s not necessary that we keep working but sometimes programmes should be organised, so that we also have some change. These people and doctors here support us and do a lot for us. They give us gifts, they sit with us and talk to us about good and bad and support us a lot. They do not think that we are sex workers and they should not even think that way," said Anita, a sex worker.

Deprived of legal protection, these sex workers often have to put up with violence and harassment at the hands of their customers. (ANI)