Women prostitutes in the AIDS era

Abstract

The prevalence and nature of female prostitution in the west is considered, as are the main types of motivation for engaging in sex work. The variable tendency to define western prostitutes as causal agents in the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS is noted, and the medical/epidemiological evidence against doing so briefly summarised. The impact of the AIDS pandemic on prostitutes and their work is discussed, as are a number of legal, ideological and representational issues relating to prostitution which have been given new salience by the AIDS debate. It is contended that the legal process continues to discriminate unjustly against women prostitutes; that a ‘double standard’ of sexual morality persists; and that prostitute groups have articulated a clear response to law and ideology, hinging on the de‐criminalisation of uncoerced adult prostitution. It is suggested that one likely consequence of decriminalisation would be improved access to health education and care facilities, as relevant for the general health status of women workers as for STDs, including AIDS. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved