Commercial Sex Workers Cry For Help Over Harassment, Abuse By Security Operatives
As Christmas beckons, commercial sex workers have cried for help over alleged harassment and abuse by security operatives across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Irked by the physical assault on her members, the Coordinator of Nigeria Sex Workers Association (NSWA) Amaka Enemo in a press statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday Lagos called on the government to protect their members from continuous infringement of their rights by security operatives.
She said recent reports across the country indicated that their members are facing physical assaults, harassment and extortion by both clients and law enforcement officials whom ordinarily she said were supposed to protect them.
Also, she said the latest trend is capable of truncating their members from hitting their Christmas targets. Therefore, She urged law enforcement agencies to recognise the humanity of sex workers and protect them from violence and abuse.
Enemo said that sex workers were not criminals, but individuals with rights, who deserved the protection of security agencies.
According to her, their absolute safety and well-being contribute to the overall health of communities and help to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
She said, “Despite the critical role that sex workers play in the economy and society, they continue to be subjected to systematic violence, discrimination and stigmatisation.
“This violence not only endangers the lives of sex workers but also undermines their rights and dignity as human beings.
“We deserve to work in safety and to live free from fear. It is time for our voices to be heard, and for our rights to be respected,” she said.
For the safety of their members nationwide and effectiveness in carrying out their work without fear or favour, the NSWA national cordinator tasked security agencies to give
comprehensive training to their officials, creat safe reporting mechanisms, and holding personnel accountable for acts of violence or discrimination against sex workers.
Enemo said that the association had resolved to advocate for the rights and safety of sex workers across the nation.
She urged stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs and the public to work with the association to fight the injustice and indignity meted
