Sierra Leone News: Commercial sex workers deserve health facilities- FDID

Business

The Foundation for Democratic Initiatives and Development (FDID) yesterday called on state institutions and relevant stakeholders to address the complex health and safety needs of commercial sex workers in Freetown. In his address, the Acting Executive Director of FDID, Habib Kamara argued that the illegality of prostitution cannot serve as an excuse for marginalizing women and young people engaged in commercial sex work in the country. Kamara recounted that society has for long frowned at commercial sex workers, as a result of which most of them have been stigmatized and deprived of their fundamental human rights. He added that most health workers are in the habit of neglecting the immediate health needs of commercial sex workers whenever they visit health centres. According to him, a recent survey undertaken by the institution, proves that commercial sex workers experience high rate of violence and exclusion from family and social events with most of the perpetrators being their clients. Apart from the practices that expose them to a high risk of HIV infection, Kamara stated that the social exclusion, violence, and discrimination at health centres that commercial sex workers experience, results to greater vulnerability and threatens their ability to receive the necessary support in addressing matters related to HIV/AIDS. He noted that neglecting the health needs of commercial sex workers, increases the risk of infections and other diseases in the country, as most of their clients are relatives and members of the society. In his remarks, the representative of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Pehunga Shaka, appreciated FDID for undertaking the advocacy as commercial sex workers fall in the category of vulnerable group that are supposed to be protected by all. Shaka noted commercial sex work is normally not voluntarily chosen by those engaged in the practice but circumstances usually lead people into it, as the maltreatment met by most children from their guardians at home and the society in general are some of the major reasons responsible for the increase in the practice. He explained that most people take children to the cities with the pretext of sending them to school; but they end up being used as source of income by trading in the streets, as a result of which they are exposed and tempted to many challenges. He pledged the continued support of the Ministry in the aspect of drafting policies and advocating for the welfare of vulnerable groups in the country. By Keifa M. Jaward Monday September 23, 2013

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