India, March 30 -- A small hall of a multi-storey brothel in Delhi's red-light area, Garstin Bastion Road, popularly known as GB Road, became an unlikely venue for a session on mental health and self-worth when about 40 sex workers paused their daily routines and gathered for the sitting. During the two-hour session, the hall echoed with affirmations such as "Main khud ke liye garv mehsoos karti hoon" (I feel proud of myself).

Handling between 15 and 20 customers a day and often under the influence of intoxicants, these moments provide them with a scarce respite and an opportunity to laugh.

In the hall, which has five small enclosures, each measuring 3 feet by 5 feet, used by the women to sleep and carry out their work, the sex workers ...