Safe sex awareness in urban sex markets

KATHMANDU, Aug 11 : Studies amongst female sex workers (FSWs) – nationally identified as a vulnerable group susceptible to HIV/AIDS – show that 39.5 percent of them use condoms consistently. The research conducted by New Era, an organisation which has been studying FSWs in Nepal for the past several years, concludes that while knowledge of HIV/AIDS is high, consistent condom use with clients and other partners is comparatively low.

Thus, there is still a long way to go. However, while it is easy for organisations working in promoting safe sex amongst FSWs and teach them about condom use, it is yet another story when it comes to the implementation part. "It is hard to convince men to use condoms," said Sheetal Uprety who works in Kathmandu. "Although they know how to use them, they find it more ‘enjoyable’ to have sex without protection."

She adds that sometimes it is the older men who tend to increase the paying rates for having sex without protection. "Men who are already married and often those who know about condom use are the very ones who do not like to use them and instead pay higher prices, often twice as much," she said.

But in the case of unmarried youth in the age group of 16-26 years, most do not carry condoms but tend to practise safe sex. "Teenagers don’t have condoms with them as they find it odd to buy them in the local stores," said Roshni Tuladhar, a sex worker in Kathmandu. She adds that more than 80 percent of the time clients come without condoms. "We need to provide them ourselves."

But what FSWs say is that when it comes to safety, it is the women who should be able to stand up for their rights. "I think it is necessary for women to be assertive and think about their health when it comes to practising safe sex," she explains. "If we are strict about our health, then only will we be able to survive."

"At first, most men do not want to use condom and look at it as a nuisance," added Uprety. "But, you need to coax them by saying it is for their own safety and for the wellbeing of their family. Eventually, they will use it."

Another technique that a lot of women say comes in handy is the fear factor. "Sometimes you have to scare them by telling them that they will get AIDS and die if they do not use condoms," says Geeta Paudyal who practices her profession in Kathmandu.

"I have even sometimes told them that I have STD and if they don’t want to catch it, they should wear a condom," she added. "It is actually not hard to convince men. You just need to know how to do it."

Just practising safe sex will go a long way in the prevention of HIV/AIDS amongst both FSWs and the population. Using condoms is not only the best prophylactic prevention against HIV/AIDs or other diseases, but is an effective contraceptive as well.

"Women are becoming more empowered than a few years ago and now stand up for their rights more assertively when it comes to the protection of their own health," said Bharat Raut of GWP, an organisation working with female sex workers for the past 10 years. "But one can only do so much," he adds. "It is up to the women to think about their personal health."

(The names of the sex workers have been changed for obvious reasons)