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August 3, 2024
Sex work, defined as the exchange of sexual services for payment, is often misunderstood and stigmatized, presenting significant barriers to healthcare for those involved. Advocacy groups are working tirelessly to combat this stigma and promote a nondiscriminatory approach to sex work, emphasizing that it is a legitimate job like any other.
Combating Stigma and Discrimination
According to Hermine Gbedo, secretary of the Committee for the Civil Rights of Prostitutes in Italy, recognizing sex work as a legitimate job is essential for providing equitable healthcare. “Think about those who are victims of assault or violence and show up in the emergency room. A nondiscriminatory approach is fundamental to good care for these individuals. Associations that work for the rights of sex workers can act as a bridge,” Gbedo explains.
The challenges are even greater for undocumented immigrants involved in sex work. Many migrant sex workers and undocumented transgender individuals avoid healthcare services due to fear of being reported or lack of knowledge about their rights. Gbedo emphasizes the importance of having trained linguistic or cultural mediators available in healthcare settings to overcome these barriers.
Challenges in Umbria
The experiences of sex workers in Umbria highlight the diversity of conditions under which they work. Some have stable environments, while others face dangerous and unhygienic conditions, particularly those working on the streets. The Cabiria Street Unit, an organization active throughout Umbria, provides essential services such as information, social mediation, and harm reduction for sexually transmitted diseases.
Dr. Marina Toschi, a gynecologist working with Cabiria, notes that many sex workers in Perugia come from sub-Saharan Africa, primarily Nigeria. These women are often recruited under false pretenses and then find themselves without documents, making them vulnerable and unable to access the National Health Service. The Cabiria Mobile Unit visits these women on the streets to offer medical assistance and distribute condoms.
Sexually transmitted diseases are a significant risk for sex workers, compounded by clients who refuse to use condoms or remove them during intercourse. Unwanted pregnancies are frequently terminated using misoprostol-based drugs obtained clandestinely, often resulting in complications due to improper use. The fear of fines for clandestine abortions further deters these women from seeking emergency medical help.
A Comprehensive Approach to Healthcare
Language barriers and social isolation prevent many sex workers from accessing healthcare and having a general practitioner. As a result, they turn to specialized groups like Cabiria for help with various health issues, including urinary tract infections, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, and complications from using skin-whitening creams.
Dr. Toschi emphasizes that the care of sex workers must extend beyond medical concerns to address the social and cultural factors affecting their health. Informing these individuals of their rights and empowering them to exercise these rights is crucial. Many sex workers from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Mali have suffered female genital mutilation (FGM) and are eligible for residence permits under the Istanbul Treaty. Healthcare workers must collaborate with lawyers and nonprofit organizations to assist these patients in obtaining residence permits, which can significantly improve their overall well-being.
By addressing the multifaceted needs of sex workers and fostering collaboration among healthcare providers, legal professionals, and advocacy groups, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system for all.
