Boman Irani launches 'Not Like Most Young Girls'

On behalf of Aastha Parivaar, the noted actor Boman Irani today launched ‘Not Like Most Young Girls’, a unique compilation of short stories written by students of leading academic institutions of Mumbai such as St. Xavier’s College, Wilson College, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The book emerged from submissions to FACES, a short story writing competition that was organized earlier in March 2011 by FHI 360 and Aastha Parivaar. ‘Not Like Most Young Girls’  narrates stories of sex workers, and is an attempt to fight the stigma and discrimination burdened upon this community by society at large. Brought out by Jaico Publishing House, ‘Not Like Most Young Girls’ seeks to sensitize readers on the real lives and struggles of sex workers, to give voice and face to their anonymous and stereotyped existence.

At the launch held at Crossword Book Store at Kemps Corner in Mumbai, Boman Irani who has long been involved with social causes, read out excerpts from a few of the inspiring stories in the book. A story of a hijra - the shadows of sex work behind the often-loud public personas and garish make-up; a story of a sex worker’s child who discovers the stigmatized profession of her adored mother; and the story of a sex worker who writes a letter questioning the norms of society and the exploitation of women – these are just some of the real and stirring stories that urged the audience to look beyond the stereotypes and realize the human side of individuals across these communities.

Commenting on the book, Irani said, “The stories have beautifully depicted the true lives of  sex workers across the spectrum. This book sheds light on myriad emotions and human situations, from heartbreak to joy, sorrow to triumph, repulsion to acceptance and the ultimate goal of living a dignified and healthy life”

Aastha Parivaar which compiled this collection is a federation of 14 community-based organizations of male, female and transgender sex workers in Mumbai and Thane that has been working towards creating an enabling environment wherein their community can co-exist in society with dignity and acceptance. Aastha brings marginalized sex workers out of the shadows, empowering them to assert their rights just as other citizens of the country.

Aastha Parivaar is the outcome of the ‘Aastha (to care about) project’, implemented in Mumbai and Thane since 2004 by FHI 360 a global health and development organization. This project is a part of Avahan, the India HIV/AIDS initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Aastha is also supported by FPAI and SOSVA.

The book launch was supported by Heroes Project, which was started by Parmeshwar Godrej and Richard Gere over a decade ago, seeking to reduce the debilitating stigma and discrimination associated with HIV by using strategic communication and advocacy via societal leaders and the media, to help educate and bring about attitude and behavior change.