Doctors & Nurses Forced Into Prostitution Due to War
May eventually fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor after completing seven years of medical school in Myanmar. However, her aspirations began to fall apart a month after she graduated and secured employment.
After the military overthrew the government in a coup in february 2021, Myanmar's already faltering economy began to collapse. May's wage, which was equal to $415 each month, vanished even more quickly when prices skyrocketed. She became further desperate when she learned that her father had renal illness.
She then encountered "date girls," who earned twice as much as she did. Even if it meant having sex with guys, the money was alluring.
May, 26, who has been a prostitute in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, for more than a year, said, "It's hard to accept that, despite all my years of study to become a doctor, I'm now doing this kind of work just to make ends meet." Because prostitution is illegal in Myanmar and her family does not know how she makes money, she, like the other people who talked for this piece, requested not to be recognized by her full name.
May, 26, who has been a prostitute in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, for more than a year, said, "It's hard to accept that, despite all my years of study to become a doctor, I'm now doing this kind of work just to make ends meet." Because prostitution is illegal in Myanmar and her family does not know how she makes money, she, like the other people who talked for this piece, requested not to be recognized by her full name.
Myanmar's economy has been severely damaged by the coup and the civil conflict that followed. This year, when factories were crippled by power outages, crops were inundated by unseasonable rain and cross-data-border trade was severely disrupted by conflict in areas close to thailand and China, inflation shot up to 26%. This year, the kyat has lost two-fifths of its value about the US dollar. The World bank estimates that about half of Myanmar's population is now impoverished.
Doctors, teachers, nurses, and other educated professionals are among the new cadre of women in Myanmar who are being driven into sex labor as a result of this tragedy.
Doctors, teachers, nurses, and other educated professionals are among the new cadre of women in Myanmar who are being driven into sex labor as a result of this tragedy.
Although it is difficult to estimate the number of women working in the field, it is now much easier to see women on the streets. More educated women are now having sex with men to earn a livelihood, according to interviews with six women, including two rights advocates and four white-collar workers who have turned to prostitution.
Women led the demonstrations following the coup. In protest of the military, they hung up their sarongs and marched through the streets. A glimmer of hope existed for overthrowing Myanmar's ingrained patriarchy. However, the increase in prostitution is yet another setback for women, who have endured decades of sexual assault at the hands of the military.
Women led the demonstrations following the coup. In protest of the military, they hung up their sarongs and marched through the streets. A glimmer of hope existed for overthrowing Myanmar's ingrained patriarchy. However, the increase in prostitution is yet another setback for women, who have endured decades of sexual assault at the hands of the military.
This suffering has no end in sight; although the military has lost a lot of territory to the rebels, it still maintains control over Myanmar's cities, where prostitution has grown in hotels, nightclubs, karaoke bars, and brothels.
Zar worked as a nurse in a private hospital in Mandalay that was closed by the military regime because to the physicians' involvement in the protests.
A buddy then offered her a way to earn money. Her friend advised her to simply be a date girl.
Zar worked as a nurse in a private hospital in Mandalay that was closed by the military regime because to the physicians' involvement in the protests.
A buddy then offered her a way to earn money. Her friend advised her to simply be a date girl.
Zar, 25, claimed to have seen some pornography to help her decide what to do before her first day of work. According to her, her first customer was a Chinese man who spoke little Burmese and no English, and who appeared to be in his 40s. He once attempted to engage in sexual activity without a condom, but she demanded that he do so.
"It lasted about 20 minutes, but to me, it felt like an eternity," she stated. "It was pure hell."
Her phone rang on a recent tuesday with a brief Telegram message that included information about her upcoming meeting. a name, number, location, and time.
"It lasted about 20 minutes, but to me, it felt like an eternity," she stated. "It was pure hell."
Her phone rang on a recent tuesday with a brief Telegram message that included information about her upcoming meeting. a name, number, location, and time.
She verified that she had condoms in her handbag and put on a pink outfit. She made $80 that evening, which was the same amount she had made a month before.
"I feel a bit ashamed doing this job," she stated. "It's not that I enjoy this work - it's just a necessity."
Women are breaking the law by selling sex as a result of their desperation. police detainees frequently have to pay bribes to be released, which puts them in even greater danger.
Women are breaking the law by selling sex as a result of their desperation. police detainees frequently have to pay bribes to be released, which puts them in even greater danger.