Bad Girls: Sex workers defining themselves on their own terms

By Kathambi Kinoti

Are sex workers victims in need of rescue and rehabilitation? Are they forced into sex work as a last resort? Whose definitions are used in discussions about sex work and the rights and needs of sex workers? Usually, not the definitions of sex workers themselves. 'The Bad Girls Dictionary' is a collection of definitions of terms commonly used to talk about sex workers and their work. It takes a critical look as these terms as used by many researchers, women's rights activists and politicians whose discourse ignores sex workers'perspectives. The Dictionary is the work of Empower, an organisation for sex workers in Thailand. After the 2005 AWID Forum, participant organisations were given an opportunity to apply to AWID for support for an innovative project. Empower was successful in its proposal to produce the Dictionary.

'The Bad Girls Dictionary' it is an assertion of the right of sex workers to define their own work and lives. In an often humorous and pointed way, some of the myths and attitudes that it challenges are:

• Sex workers are disease spreaders. On the contrary, they say, 'We spread knowledge and happiness, not disease. We know about protection, testing and treatment. We know anyone who has unsafe sex can be a disease spreader whoever they are; whatever their job. Sex work does not spread disease...unsafe sex does.'The Dictionary describes AIDS as 'a disease we are blamed for spreading and held responsible to prevent.'

• Sex work degrades all women. They ask 'How can doing the work we have chosen to do to the best of our ability; supporting our families and ourselves be degrading to any woman? We are proud of our work and our gender.'

• Sex work is work of last resort and that if given the chance most sex workers, would take up 'alternative occupations'defined in the Dictionary 'as hobbies that can make pocket money for us.'

• Sex workers are or should be ashamed of their work. The Dictionary has a section that gives interpretations of the assumptions underlying some of the questions they are often asked. For instance, the question: 'How would you feel if your children want to sell sex?' reveals an assumption that the person asking believes that sex workers deep in their hearts do not believe sex work is a good job.

The Dictionary also challenges prevalent approaches to advocacy for the rights of women who are sex workers. These approaches are often based on the myths that the publication debunks. It takes a critical look at the concept of trafficking, for instance. It also mocks the way in which sex workers are portrayed as passive subjects of research and intervention.

According to the Dictionary, a consultation or 'insultation' is a 'donor requirement where someone or some institution outside the community holds a meeting; tells us what they plan to do; asks a few questions; pretends to listen to our answers and then goes ahead with their original plan. 'A documentary is a 'Sneaky-cam footage of sex workers, bars, brothels and sometimes customers; interview with sex worker filming her in dark or blurred face or just her hands for her sad story; film her poor rural home village and interview with greedy or stupid or tragic family member; interview with Thai social worker or academic; interview with AIDS hospital or children's organization worker; more sneaky cam and stop. Documentary maker gets award and royalties...bars get raided; sex workers get arrested. Repeat this every year...'

The Bad Girls Dictionary is a candid criticism of the ways in which sex work discourse is dominated by perspectives other than those of sex workers. In a simple and effective way, it prompts a deeper analysis of sex work and a change in which sex work and sex workers are viewed.

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The Bad Girls Dictionary can be downloaded from the Empower website