Badi families struggle with HIV/AIDS

Kathmandu, December 19

More than 24 families of the Badi community have tested positive for HIV.

The Badi community traditionally comprises musicians and dancers, but poverty and lack of opportunities have pushed Badi women into prostitution. There are over 8,341 people of the Badi community living in different parts of the country, such as Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot and other districts.

After the Badi movement nine years ago, a number of agreements were reached with then interim government regarding end to the use of discriminatory terms, citizenship to all Badis, scholarships for children, access to health care, and employment opportunities.

Although the government has provisions ensuring the rights of Dalits and ethnic women, the Badis have not received any opportunity from the state.

Shashi Badi (name changed), 33, thought her days of prostitution were over. A single mother who is partially blind, she reveals that she has barely received any support. “My mother encouraged me into prostitution when I was very young.

Employment opportunities are scarce here and it is increasingly hard for us to make ends meet,” said Shahi. She is still waiting for programmes provided by the government to be implemented. She believes these programmes will address her concerns.

Chitra Badi, 29, was a talented dancer who wanted to learn the modern dance form and promote the traditional Badi dance. “We have been forced into prostitution for generations. We don’t want such work for our livelihood, but we do not get any opportunity to break out of this cycle,” said Chitra.

According to a report, 48 per cent of Badi people have migrated and worked in India as sex workers, 26 per cent are working as porters in the capital city and other cities of the country, while 6 per cent are involved in the entertainment business.

Similarly, 40 per cent of the Badi community are engaged in unsafe sexual activities, the main cause of prevalence of HIV/AIDS among them.