Searching for justice for body and self in a coercive environment: sex work in Kerala, India

Reproductive Health Matters
A K Jayasree

Abstract

Sex workers in Kerala, India, live in a coercive environment and face violence from the police and criminals, lack of shelter, lack of childcare support and have many physical and mental health problems. This paper documents the environment in which women have been selling sex in Kerala since 1995, and their efforts to claim their rights. It is based on sex workers' own reports and experiences, a situation analysis and a needs assessment study by the Foundation for Integrated Research in Mental Health. Involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention projects first gave sex workers in Kerala an opportunity to come together. Some have become peer educators and distribute condoms but they continue to be harassed by police. Most anti-trafficking interventions, including rescue and rehabilitation, either criminalise or victimise sex workers, and sex workers reject them as a solution to sex work. They understand that the lack of sexual fulfillment in other relationships and their own lack of access to other work and resources are the reasons why commercial sex flourishes. Sex workers are not mere victims without agency. They have a right to bodily integrity, pleasure, livelihood, self-determination and a safe working environment. Sex workers are ...Continue Reading

References

Jun 13, 2003·Lancet·Kate Butcher

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Citations

Nov 2, 2013·Journal of Public Health·Smarajit JanaRichard Steen
May 23, 2012·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Anisa HeravianMaria L Ekstrand
Jan 12, 2008·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Subadra PanchanadeswaranDavid Celentano
Apr 28, 2009·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Raluca BuzduganFrances M Cowan
Jan 16, 2009·Sociology of Health & Illness·Milena Simić, Tim Rhodes
May 6, 2014·International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics : the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·Niranjan SaggurtiAnita Raj
Jun 26, 2009·Journal of Interpersonal Violence·Sharvari Karandikar, Moisés Próspero

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