Lessons for Karachi sex workers
20 July 2009
Zeba Raman is a 28-year-old Pakistani sex worker. Born into the profession in Karachi's red light district of Napier Road, she plies her trade all over the city.
I did not know that precautionary measures should be taken during sex
Nadia, sex worker
She is celebrating the launch of an initiative to promote health awareness among sex workers.
"We are now revealed to society," says Ms Raman.
But prostitution remains illegal and anathema to many in Muslim-majority Pakistan. It is an ever-present fact of life, but never really acknowledged.
The last two decades, given the increasing Islamisation of Pakistani society, have further reinforced stereotypes about such women.
But the profession has only grown.
Karachi alone has at least 100,000 female sex workers, according to data gathered by local welfare organisations.
Lahore has 75,000 sex workers while the military garrison town of Rawalpindi has at least 25,000.