SEX WORK AND THE LAW - HIV/AIDS Data Hub

In 2010 there were press reports of sex workers arrested who were selling sex to the
military. 490 The 2006 review of the National AIDS Programme noted that in some localities
the military are a major source of clients for sex workers: 491
A behavioural assessment is done with all new recruits in order to better understand
and address risk behaviours. It was reported that young servicemen in isolated
postings were especially vulnerable and at high risk to HIV, and were routinely clients
of sex workers. For example, the presence of a military base near Padaung Township
suggests a considerable client base for indirect and direct sex workers. It was reported
that on occasion, a whole platoon of soldiers would have sex with one sex worker.
Myanmar
There are reports of police harassment of sex workers and police seeking payment of
bribes to secure release of arrested sex workers. 492
100% Targeted Condom Programme (TCP)
WHO’s 2006 review of the National AIDS Programme described the 100% TCP as follows: 493
The main activities include advocacy, training of township staff, formation of condom
core groups, geo-social mapping, condom distribution and programme monitoring...
The review teams were informed in several townships that the police force supports
100% TCP by active participation in the [condom core groups].
Sex workers undergo regular physical and serological check-ups, including [syphilis]
testing. HIV testing is reported to be voluntary. They did not have to carry a card
indicating whether they had complied with check-up requirements or the result of
tests…
A key barrier to effective implementation of the programme is the continued disruption
caused by police arrests of sex workers. INGOs reported that this happens particularly
towards the end of the month when the police have to meet their monthly targets as
part of the programme to control sex work. At that time, attendance by sex workers
to drop-in centres declined. In one district, stakeholders and the divisional AIDS/STD
officer reported that sex workers are harder to access now due to (a) the shift of sex
work from brothels to other entertainment establishments and freelance work; and
(b) the continual movement of sex workers due to police activity and migration. The
divisional AIDS/STD officer estimated that consistent condom use in entertainment
establishments was less than 50% in that state/division.
The 2005 review of the 100% TCP made the following observations: 494
…the review team noted that it may be easier in the context of Myanmar to create
an enabling environment for 100% condom use for indirect sex workers, such as
karaoke singers and other entertainment girls, as their managers/brokers can be
readily identified and reached. Reaching direct sex workers may be more difficult,
especially in areas where police repression of sex work reaches high levels, as sex
workers and their brokers go underground and become very hard to reach. Yet, direct
sex workers often have the highest numbers of clients and should be the main focus
490 18 sex workers produced before Maungdaw Court, Democracy for Burma, 27 April 2010.
491 Ministry of Health & WHO (2006), Review of the Myanmar National AIDS Programme, New Delhi: WHO
SEARO p.64.
492 Burma: For sex workers, a life of risks, Inter Press Service, 24 February 2010.
493 Ministry of Health & WHO (2006), op cit, pp. 50-51.
494 Ministry of Health & WHO (2006), op cit., p.20.
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