Gender and Sexuality in India

Selling Sex in Chennai

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Gender and Sexuality in India by Salla Sariola, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Salla Sariola ISBN: 9781135179496
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 16, 2009
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Salla Sariola
ISBN: 9781135179496
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 16, 2009
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

India has one of the highest numbers of HIV carriers in the world. HIV has remained associated with sex work, and large sums of money provided to fund public health interventions have come from global institutions such as UNAIDS, the World Bank and USAID. In the midst of these processes, however, sex workers and their everyday lives have been hidden behind the rhetorics of control and prevention.

This book offers a detailed analysis of the experiences of sex workers in Chennai. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, it draws out themes of agency; notions of gender and sexuality; and the HIV prevention industry. While the women’s experiences are closely knit into the medical discourse regarding sex workers, sex work emerges as a complicated knot of poverty, desire, women’s oppression, love, co-option, and motherhood. The author examines how the sex workers actively negotiate the risks of their industry and suggests alternative discourses on women’s sexuality, sexual behaviour and desire, arguing that unless the power imbalances affecting women are addressed, such policies and activities will have little impact. She brings attention to the problems of current policies, discourses and attitudes regarding HIV, sexuality and sex work, and shows how new policies could help to reduce vulnerabilities not only for sex workers, but perhaps for all women in India.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

India has one of the highest numbers of HIV carriers in the world. HIV has remained associated with sex work, and large sums of money provided to fund public health interventions have come from global institutions such as UNAIDS, the World Bank and USAID. In the midst of these processes, however, sex workers and their everyday lives have been hidden behind the rhetorics of control and prevention.

This book offers a detailed analysis of the experiences of sex workers in Chennai. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, it draws out themes of agency; notions of gender and sexuality; and the HIV prevention industry. While the women’s experiences are closely knit into the medical discourse regarding sex workers, sex work emerges as a complicated knot of poverty, desire, women’s oppression, love, co-option, and motherhood. The author examines how the sex workers actively negotiate the risks of their industry and suggests alternative discourses on women’s sexuality, sexual behaviour and desire, arguing that unless the power imbalances affecting women are addressed, such policies and activities will have little impact. She brings attention to the problems of current policies, discourses and attitudes regarding HIV, sexuality and sex work, and shows how new policies could help to reduce vulnerabilities not only for sex workers, but perhaps for all women in India.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book How to do Discourse Analysis by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book The Nature of Research by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Immigration, Social Integration and Crime by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Regional Innovation And Global by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Swings and Roundabouts by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book The Long Peace of East Asia by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator's Handbook by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Reducing Prejudice and Discrimination by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Death and Disease in the Ancient City by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Moving Beyond Assistance by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Japan and Protection by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book The Concept of Analytic Contact by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book Competitiveness in the European Economy by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book English Peasant Farming by Salla Sariola
Cover of the book On Writing Qualitative Research by Salla Sariola
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy