West Bengal Collaborates with Sex Worker Collective for Cervical Cancer Vaccination Program

West Bengal government sought collaboration with the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC)—celebrating 31 years as Asia's largest sex workers' collective—to implement cervical cancer vaccination in Sonagachi, one of Asia's oldest red-light areas. This initiative exemplifies public health's intersection with social inclusion and human rights. Context: (1) Cervical cancer remains leading cancer killer among Indian women (97,000+ cases annually); (2) HPV vaccination critical preventive intervention; (3) Sex workers face 5-10x higher cervical cancer incidence due to multiple risk factors and healthcare access barriers. Key aspects: (1) DMSC's legitimacy in community mobilization and trust-building within marginalized population; (2) Recognition of sex workers as rights-bearing citizens (Budhadev Karmaskar judgment); (3) Public-civil society partnership model; (4) Health equity approach addressing social determinants of health. Constitutional framework: Article 21 (right to health), Article 15 (non-discrimination), Fundamental Duty under Article 51-A(g) (environmental protection extended to health). India's commitment: WHO guidelines on cervical cancer elimination, National Cancer Grid integration. Exam relevance: Health equity and vulnerable population access; role of NGOs/civil society in health delivery; public-private partnerships; constitutional protections for marginalized groups; gender and health intersectionality. Expected questions: How do social inequalities manifest in health outcomes? Constitutional obligations toward vulnerable populations?