The National Coordinator of Nigeria Sex Workers Association, Amaka Enemo, has said that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has forced sex workers in the country to suspend rendering their services, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, adding that the lockdown compounded their difficulty.

Enemo told our correspondent on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 that even though sex workers render “essential services”, they would suspend activities, because their services involve “substantial bodily contact”.

She noted that the association had succeeded in sensitising its members to the dangers posed by coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The national coordinator said,

There is sensitisation across the country including within our network. Sex workers also offer essential services. However, there is no way sex workers can do their work without body contact. So, they are staying at home to watch what happens.

The government has announced a lockdown and as law-abiding citizens, we will not flout the law. If the government says sit at home, we will all obey because nobody wants to die.

We fall under essential services but ours is peculiar because of the nature of body contact. You cannot compare it to doctors because the doctors are not making full body contact with people the way we do.

When asked if only ‘street operations’ had been halted and if they could continue to deliver private home services, she said the association had decided that “all activities be put on hold”.

Enemo said,

The lockdown affects street workers and those at home equally. For the sake of their health, they should all stay at home and avoid bodily contact. So, we stay at home but we are sharing materials that will keep them safe.

When asked to weigh the lockdown’s financial impact on sex workers, she noted that it was having the same adverse effect on artisans.

However, Enemo said it was much better to protect one’s health.

Enemo added,

Of course it is going to affect them financially but sex workers are not the only ones that make money on a daily basis. It is the same for commercial drivers. Of course, they might have their savings but that does not mean it will not affect them. It is affecting everybody so sex workers are not exempted.

She said the association would be relieved by donations from the government or private sector, as that would minimize the impact of the shutdown on the members.

If they are willing to help, we will accept it. It is lockdown. Our business is affected,

Enemo added.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.