Mixed feelings on Malawi government loans for sex workers
People have expressed mixed views on Malawi government plans to offer soft loans to sex workers with others saying it will help get them off the street while others feel it will promote and legalise prostitution in the country.
Patricia Kaliati (pictured), Minister of Women and Child Development recently disclosed that the government is putting final touches to the project, which aims at reducing high HIV/Aids and improving the economic lives of commercial sex workers.
The sex workers will be offered low-interest loans to leave prostitution and start up businesses.
“This is to deal in a small way with a problem that is getting entrenched in our midst. Those that are willing to trade-off their current occupation with a legal means of earning a living should be supported in the best way possible.
“However, there is need to encourage universal education for the empowerment of all, especially the girl child and to enhance employment opportunities as well as promote self sustenance so that prostitution should solely be out of choice and not out of destitution,” Pilira Kwenda commented on BBC.
BBC online ‘Have your Say’ on the subject attracted comments from Many Malawians and other nationals.
“First of all we must find out why some women go for prostitution while others don’t. It’s not all about luck of money. Some sex workers are driving nice cars, meaning that they have money. There are some women who are extremely poor but they don’t go for this option.
“Unless the government considers both categories of these women, the soft loan will NOT solve the problem. For sure the sex workers are used to getting money in such easy way than being in loan and running business,” Elijah Phiri of Lilongwe posted his comment.
Chifuniro Chalira on Mzuzu commented: “Prostitution is not only caused by poverty, some women are into it by nature or just looking for fun. Why target women only, why not men. The other solution is to arrest men who are found soliciting sex, this will not only compel them to be faithful to their partners, it will also decrease the number of prostitute found in streets. Mind you, in Malawi most teen prostitutes found in the streets are orphans; if this system has to work then they should target orphans only.”
In his take, John Stewart of Harare, Zimbabwe pointed out those loans to sex workers for other livelihood activity or businesses is a good idea but will not work alone.
“The need to provide skills training, and de-stigmatisation, and addressing womens rights issues more comprehensively, are also very important. Frankly, the wealth divide and structural poverty, together with patriarchal male-domination values, have to be seriously addressed before women’s bodies are treated as anything other than commodities – either in prostitution or in the domestic context.”
Ayodele Olayemi Ayeni commended Malawi government for the plan but urged the authorities embark on public opinion survey to ascertain the cause of the phenomenon.
“This is a laudable idea from the Malawi’s government but the question must be, is poverty the cause of the societal menace called prostitution? If it is, then the programme will have a far reaching effect and if otherwise, it will be counter productive.”
Kingsley Ezenekwe commenting from Lagos, Nigeria says the soft loans will not keep the women off the streets if they do not have the requisite training to make whatever they invest the money in work.
“The government should start by teaching the women what to do, and then encourage those who need it with the soft loan. Otherwise, the loan will be lost to the ‘sharks’ who will be waiting to feed on the women and of course force them to go back to what they know how to do best.”
“What a brilliant idea, if implemented I am of the view that is one of the best ideas to come from Africa in dealing with the problems of Aids/HIV. Bravo Malawi and the minister that thought of the idea. I hope that the rest of African countries are watching.
“Most people go into the trade out of frustration and poverty, if they are offered financial assistance I am of the opinion the majority of these sex workers would appreciate the soft loan and change their lifestyles,” commented Uche Lebeanya, Oxford .
Ayo Howard, Lira, Uganda noted that the Malawi government should focus on training the sex workers first and management projects and provide an environment that is protective the sex worker returnees so that the society accepts tem otherwise the idea might not work unless there is a self drive within the government.
