Sex Workers Advised to Use Condoms to Prevent HIV Infection

As per the international Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia, 10 million women indulge in sex with 75 million men, who further have sex with additional 50 million people.

Steve Krauss, who is the Regional Director of UNAIDS Asia Pacific, said, “The technology is there to prevent infections, but punitive laws get in the way”.

The international community until recently was singing paeans for Cambodia for effectively implementing its 100% Condom Use Programme, according to which it was necessary for the sex workers to use condoms during sex.
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But commencing the national anti-trafficking law in the year 2008 largely illegalized sex work and forced the sex workers to hibernate.

After the closure of most whorehouses in Cambodia, majority of sex workers adopted other professions like working in karaoke bars, massage parlors and parks, putting them at increase risk to police corruption and HIV infection.

Andrew Hunt, creator of the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers said that police believe that its main duty is to clamp down on sex workers use condoms as evidence.

Hunter also said that the police require legal training, as many nations refuse to present condoms as evidence in court.

Hunter further stated that majority of sex workers believe that amendments should be done both in the judicial procedure and accessibility to justice.