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Legalizing Prostitution and HIV

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Message Kamala Sarup
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Pattaya Thailand
Pattaya Thailand
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My very own friend Jen (name changed) is very upset from her life. She
told me her story about the need and support her family needed and was
forced to become a street prostitute. Now she regrets her life but
unfortunately there was no other way to escape it.

She is my friend who grew up in a poor family. Her father worked in a
small wood shop that didn't have any customers after the introduction
of portable stoves. Hence, he couldn't provide for his family. Her
mother had a terminal illness, which always brought tears to her eyes
whenever she used to mention during our school days. Unfortunately,
her father decided to move to a different location and she was forced
to quit school too. It was a sad and depressive life for my friend. I
never got a chance to ask her where they were going and how can I see
her but last year, luckily I recognized my friend walking in a street
towards a hospital. It turns out now she has HIV/AIDS due to her lack
of knowledge of practicing safe sex. Like my friend, there are
millions of other girls/women who are on this profession still
unknown about these things and are continuously getting infected. I
think we need to stop this.

According to CDC (HIV Surveillance Report 2016) in the US, about 1.1
million people are living with HIV, and 1 in 7 of them doesn't know
it. From 2008 to 2014, although the estimated number of annual HIV
infection declined by 18% it is still a matter of concern, the report
said. Hence, legalizing prostitution can be one of the many solutions
to this problem at hand. At first glance, it may seem a little absurd
as people might consider its cons rather than pros but in a long term
it might help a lot. Lots of countries like India, Thailand and other
15 countries have legalized it. Countries where prostitution is
legal, women are always conscious about their health and can use
condom and treat themselves if any complication arises.


The only answer to the question about why prostitution should be
legalized is because legalization of prostitution can help in lots of
different ways. It can decrease the rate of human trafficking, violence such as rape; it can also help to decrease the rate of HIV infection. Once it gets
legalized, the women will have a right to move on their own will. Many
women from around the globe are still unable to get access to their
basic health checkup. Many young women are tricked into getting a good
life and good jobs but instead are trafficked and sold into the
market. Due to their age and many other factors they aren't informed
about sexual education and protections hence are always at top of
their health's degradation. Also many children are born with these
viruses present in them. This has also hindered the right of abortion
for many women and hence they are compelled to raise their young ones
without the support from his/her father. Women can freely move to get
themselves checked in the hospital too. Many women do not undergo
blood tests because prostitution is still illegal, and there is social discrimination. On the other side, a lack of access about condom and education also are contributing to the problem.

To stop illegal prostitution we need to provide women with a stable
job or any alternative income source; this includes food, shelter and
clothes. But getting it was the hardest part. We must provide access
to HIV test and other sexually transmitted diseases. Psychologically
supporting women and convincing them about other professions will also
help females consider the options before become a prostitute. We need
it to be legal but at the same time convince women not to be a
prostitute. I think this bring real change in the society and be a
huge step towards the progress of women's empowerment. Let's start to
raise awareness now. But saying so, I don't mean we must encourage
prostitution but we should help the women who are already into it and
stop other females to join this profession because the sexual disease
is infecting millions.


Prostitution being illegal in the US as well as in many countries, it
is always hidden from plain sight and hence difficult to find and
prevent.

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Journalist, poet and editor Kamala Sarup works at the Cape Collection. Kamala specializes in reporting news and writing stories covering journalism, Peace, Public health, Democracy, Women/Children, development, justice and economic development. (more...)
 

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