New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Followers of religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda have come forward to marry sex workers in an effort to fight for the rights of women who have been trafficked and forced into prostitution. And they took out a rally here Sunday to spread their message.

The rally began from the Ramlila grounds and culminated at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.

Said Aditya Insaan, spokesperson of the group: "Trafficking is a serious issue and so is the high prevalance of HIV amongst sex workers. A number of sex workers are in the trade because they are forced into it - either because of poor economic condition or because they have been duped into it."

"In order to change people's perception about the community and help instead of shunning them, Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of Dera Sacha Sauda has encouraged the men folk to come forward, marry and provide a home for these women," Insaan told IANS.

"Once they have that sense of security and warmth of a family, these women can then pursue a vocational course or pursue a different livelihood option," he added.

According to Insaan, almost 1,200 male followers of the sect have given their consent to marrying sex workers.

"By January next year, we are hoping to solemnise some marriages. However, there are certain conditions that have to be met. Like the women will go through a medical and psychological test before they tie the knot," he said.

For those women sex workers who are infected by HIV, Insaan said that the group will offer socio-economic rehabilitation with the help of 15 NGOs working for the community. Schools will also be set up for the children of the sex workers.