Makeshift brothels crop up in Sri Lanka as economic hardship pushes women into prostitution

30 July 2022 01:28 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In Sri Lanka, which is battling a crushing economic crisis, is now facing another predicament with its women, most of them who have lost their jobs in the textile sector, now forced to become sex workers to earn a livelihood, the ANI reported.

In the wake of the unprecedented crisis in the country, 22 million Sri Lankans are facing enormous hardship and prospects of poverty. The difficulties brought by the current situation in the country have pushed many families to the edge. A large number of people in Sri Lanka are facing difficulties running their households with daily struggles to procure food and essential items.

This dire situation has seen makeshift brothels cropping up across the country. There has been an increase of 30 per cent in prostitution in the last few months as women here are forced to become sex workers to earn a livelihood, according to Stand-up Movement Lanka (SUML), a group that works for the rights of sex workers.

Some of these establishments operate as spas and wellness centres. Many say that this is the only way to provide their families with three meals a day.

"Women working in the textile industry are resorting to 'sex work' after being fired due to the economic crisis," Ashila Dandeniya, Executive Director, told ANI.

"Due to the current crisis, we have noticed that many women are taking up prostitution. Most of them are from the textile industry. After covid, the textiles industries were affected and many jobs were cut and now the current situation is forcing them into sex work for their livelihoods," she said.

21-year-old Rehana (name changed) shared her story with ANI about how she turned from an employee of the textile industry to a sex worker. Rehana lost her job seven months ago and after months and months of despair, she took up prostitution.

"In December last year, I lost my job in a textile factory. Then, I got another job on a daily basis. Sometimes, when the manpower was less, I used to go and work. But I could not get the money as I did not get it regularly and it was too little to take care of my needs and that of the family. Then, a spa owner approached me and I decided to work as a sex worker due to the current crisis. My mind refused to accept the offer but I was in dire need of money for my family," she told ANI.

Forty-two-year-old Rozy (name changed) is another one of the many who became a sex worker.

A mother of a seven-year-old, she was divorced and she had to earn enough to pay for her daughter's education and rent.

"Income is insufficient due to the economic crisis. Money is not enough for my family's domestic needs. That's why I chose this. I run a shop and I have to pay to keep it running. Because of this problem many prostitutes are now there," she told ANI.

It is also believed that a big reason behind becoming sex workers is that girls and women who used to earn LKR 20,000 to 30,000 a month, get about LKR 15,000-20,000 in a day. But there are many problems that they face.

The Executive Director of SUML further said, " Many sex workers started living with their partners but due to the crisis the partner had to leave many girls. Many of them have become pregnant also... at present we have two girls who are pregnant and we need to take care of them and we are not getting help anywhere even from the government."

Previously in an interview with ANI, UN's World Food Programme (WFP) Sri Lanka's country director, Abdur Rahim Siddiqui said 6.3 million people in the island nation are food insecure. He said the country's economy is currently facing the worst food crisis since independence and staggering inflation is expected to rise in the next few months.

"Sri Lanka has been facing a severe food crisis since its independence. The rate of food inflation is over 80 per cent till June and this trend is likely to pick up in the coming months," Siddiqui said.

Sri Lanka is facing an acute shortage of fuel, food and foreign exchange and is going through a worse economic crisis. The people of this island nation are expecting the IMF to give a bailout package. (ANI)

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Comments - 19

Shirantha Saturday, 30 July 2022 02:51 PM

This is goin news for the tourism industry

Ram Saturday, 30 July 2022 03:56 PM

What a sad situation all due to political decisions taken for personal gain

TONI Saturday, 30 July 2022 04:11 PM

SLPP CAN BOAST OF TODAY'S SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

Kumara Saturday, 30 July 2022 04:17 PM

Shame on you Ranil. Give financial help to redundant workers so they can afford at least two meals day. If you can't then allow and facilitate Sri lankan diaspora to invest on bussiness in the whole island including north and east. I understand there are lot of hurdles to start a business which are imposed by the government. Don't be cruel to these women and girls! Do something.

Sils Saturday, 30 July 2022 04:46 PM

No matter how hard life is, women should NOT resort to such activity. These are lame excuses to pursue the easiest job in the world !

Lanka Saturday, 30 July 2022 05:12 PM

What a shame! So much for our so called "Buddhist" country! "Pathetic" is an under statement. Looks like there is no hope or a future here.

Fairplay Saturday, 30 July 2022 05:18 PM

Please make prostitution legal. This will definitely protect them with free medical checks routinely and safer environment to work. Follow the rules of New Zealand and Holland.

Bernard Saturday, 30 July 2022 05:48 PM

These women have to pay homage and show their gratitude to the former ruler who is on the run now for creating this opportunity for them to earn more money aftet bankrupting the country.

Jaffna Resident Saturday, 30 July 2022 06:36 PM

Not a single Jaffna Tamil woman in this “new occupation”. For Jaffna Tamil women HONOUR is exceptionally important .

Citizen k Saturday, 30 July 2022 07:26 PM

So saddening how a once stable country has fallen into such pathetic situation.

Sex is now expensive Saturday, 30 July 2022 07:39 PM

Looks like the price of sex has gone up too!

Kumar Saturday, 30 July 2022 09:34 PM

Standby for rise in STD.

Chaminda Saturday, 30 July 2022 10:41 PM

So the next disaster is aids ..sri lanka take care

GHT Sunday, 31 July 2022 01:05 AM

The US, the UN and WHO as well as other organization linked to the US made this nation to this damn crisis situation. China really dedicated to develop Sri Lanka that caused the US

Johan Sunday, 31 July 2022 01:08 AM

Over to you politicians who have been mismanaging and plundering SL economy.. Most of you are happy for this sittuation as you can get this service for lower charge

Demuni Uduwara Sunday, 31 July 2022 05:09 AM

President, despite power greediness, look at this matter, responsibly !

Mohan Sunday, 31 July 2022 08:41 AM

@Jaffna Resident: You never know.

Ceylonese Monday, 01 August 2022 10:44 AM

Very soon there will be more women lining up for sex trying to make a fast buck to spend for food while their husbands will be spending their time in fuel and gas queues.

Prof Lasantha Pethiyagoda Tuesday, 02 August 2022 01:33 PM

Unless the people take a stand against the oppressive economic state, this will become part of the status quo in time to come. It will be "normal" for women to spread their legs for money. Then what? Young boys sold to paedophiles? The time is NOW or never. Unite and bring a system change!

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Makeshift brothels crop up in Sri Lanka as economic hardship pushes women into prostitution

Comments - 19

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