There is a lack of knowledge and understanding when it comes to seeing how menstrual hygiene management differs for sex workers who have to even work during their periods. Most engage in sex work during periods not by choice but with the fear of losing clientele and their livelihood if they refrain from working for one whole week.
In a research conducted by Khushboo Motihar on ‘Menstrual health of women in prostitution of Mumbai and its impact of their livelihood’, she put forths the reasons by sex workers for having sex during periods, some of them being “Nahin, nahi bol skate”, “Koi chaara nahi hai, nahi kia toh raaste par aajaugi”, “Majboori hai” (Cant’ say no; I have no other option. If I don’t do it, I’ll be homeless; It’s a necessity).
She also notes that some sex workers have sex during periods but very few reveal it to their clients. Those who do have sex have to hide their periods by washing with water, using a red condom or by inserting sponge and cotton to stop the blood from flowing. The very idea of hiding suggests us that the male customers possibly consider period or period sex as something which is dirty.
Furthermore, such insertions can also pose health risks as one of the case studies in the research revealed the sponge went deep inside after which the uterus had to be removed. In the same case study, the said sex worker also reported facing violence at the hands of the client because she hid the fact that she was on her periods and when the client came to know of it, he attacked her because apparently she had sullied him with her menstrual blood. Such incidents suggest the stigma that exists around menstrual blood.
Those sex workers who do not participate in sex work during periods take small loans to cope with the loses, and one can even assume that failure to pay back the loans on time could even put them in a risk of debt traps. While at times sex workers, such as those who are bar based and call girls apart from loans, often work as waitresses and dancers to compensate for the loses.
Some also resort to menstrual suppression by using oral contraceptives when they have to work. Taking such OCPs without doctor’s prescription could lead to health concerns in the form of infections and pelvic pain etc.
According to research when the male clients were inquired about the reasons for demanding sex during periods, one of the responses said, “condom istemaal nahi karna padta’ (If she’s on her periods, we don’t have to use a condom). Such unprotected sex can still lead to HIV transmission and other STDs putting the sex workers at higher risks.
Further, the researcher highlighted the unsafe methods of douching/ vaginal washing women use after having sex, some of them being washing private parts using water and phenyl/surf/soaps. Such ignorance on their part could have negative health effects.
As highlighted earlier, sex workers have to indulge in unsafe practices for having sex during menstruation to save themselves from loss of livelihood. The court observed in Olga Tellis v BMC that state must secure citizens an adequate means of livelihood and right to work under article 21, therefore, it becomes a growing impetus on the government to provide sex workers with adequate means sustenance so that they aren’t forced into working while on periods.
Conclusion
For the uplifting of the sex worker community, government and non-governmental organisations both need to work hand in hand. From conducting research on the needs of the sex workers to framing specific policies for their welfare and financial security.
In the more immediate terms, it is important to educate them about safe hygiene practices and to impart them with alternative skills for earning money to compensate for the economic losses they suffer when they are not working while they are on their periods. For instance, Stayfree India’s project Free Period where commercial sex workers were taught a range of skills that included making henna art, embroidery, candle making, basic beautician course. etc.