Indoor Sex Workers in Punjab: A Qualitative Enquiry

Abstract

Scholarly works on sex work and sex workers are mostly confined to discourses on human trafficking and the incidence of HIV/STIs among sex workers. Although crucial, this restricted focus has neglected the reality that sex workers are a diverse community, and while their challenges may appear to be linked at first glance, they differ greatly. While extensive research has been conducted on sex workers working in more open settings like brothels, hotels, and streets, there is a scarcity of research on sex workers working in more private spaces, such as, for instance, their own homes. Within the hierarchy of sex workers, home-based sex workers (HBSWs) among the indoor sex workers dominate commercial sex transactions. However, they are often overlooked due to their covert nature and invisible landscape. This chapter addresses the knowledge gap by examining the work lives and conditions of home-based female sex workers (FHBSWs) in Punjab. The study analyzes the complex lives of sex workers who use their home as both a family unit and a workplace. A detailed analysis of the risks and vulnerabilities they face in their daily lives and their coping strategies is also examined in this chapter. The study points out that although working from home may have positive outcomes for sex workers, the integration of sex work into the home environment exposes them to several challenges. Hence, the study emphasizes the need for tailoring interventions for sex workers who operate in different physical environments so that their unique needs and challenges are well addressed.

Citation

Sharma, R. (2024), "Indoor Sex Workers in Punjab: A Qualitative Enquiry", Demos, V.(V). and Segal, M.T. (Ed.) People, Spaces and Places in Gendered Environments (Advances in Gender Research, Vol. 34), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 99-116. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-212620240000034006