Protecting sex workers in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic: opportunities to build back better
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Abstract
The Government of Thailand was prompt to launch social and economic measures to mitigate theeffects on the general population following lockdown measures to counter coronavirus disease2019 (COVID-19). However, sex workers were one of the vulnerable groups who were unable toaccess state support. A rapid survey of sex workers in Thailand showed that almost all had becomeunemployed and lost their income as a consequence of the lockdown, restrictions on internationalflights into the country and the closure of entertainment venues. Most were unable to cover the costsof food and shelter for themselves and their dependents. COVID-19 had also disrupted testing andtreatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV services for sex workers. As in other countries,community-based organizations were essential to providing an immediate, short-term COVID-19response for sex workers. Also as in other countries, the pandemic has demonstrated that manypeople’s health and well-being depends on very fragile foundations. This presents a clear opportunityto build back better by committing to a longer-term vision for the overall societal inclusion of sexworkers. Thailand should advocate for decriminalization of sex work and ensure sex workers areentitled to equal labour rights and inclusion in the government social protection programme. Progressin innovative government initiatives aimed at ending HIV stigma and discrimination show how structuralchange can come about through harnessing community-based organizations. In turn, HIV servicesfor sex workers need to expand and incorporate targeted interventions to reduce sex workers’occupational susceptibility to COVID-19.Citation
Surang Janyam, Dusita Phuengsamran, Jamrong Pangnongyang, Wutikan Saripra, Ladda Jitwattanapataya. et al. (2020). Protecting sex workers in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic: opportunities to build back better. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health, 9 (2), 100 - 103. World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/334191. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
Journal
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health, 9 (2): 100 - 103ISSN
2224-3151 (Print)2304-5272 (Electronic)