Sex workers in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa have petitioned government to consider them essential workers amid the coronavirus lockdown. The prostitutes argue that they have lost their source of income because of the lockdown.

Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kilifi, were identified as COVID-19 hotspots and placed on a 21-day partial lockdown on April 8.

The sex workers said the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has greatly affected their livelihood as they’re unable to receive clients in the evening – their peak time. Sex work in the East Africa nation is currently prohibited.

“Since the scourge started, we have incurred losses. The closure of bars, restaurants and clubs as a result of the curfew has rendered 90 per cent of sex workers jobless. These were the places where we could get our daily bread,” High Voice Africa chairlady, Maryline Laini, told news media.

“Life is tough, we are being stigmatized… Some of us are HIV positive, we need to eat for the treatment or the drugs we are using to benefit our bodies,” Ms Laini, who also called on authorities to add them as beneficiaries of relief items, said.

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https://www.mazechmedia.com/2020/04/covid-19-lockdown-kenyan-prostitutes-beg-government-to-consider-them-essential-workers/