|
"Sometimes the work can be dangerous"
HARGEISA, Aisha*, 24, lives in Hargeysa, capital of the self-declared
republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, where she puts food on
the table for herself and her child by trading sex for money and khat, a
herbal stimulant. Aisha told IRIN/PlusNews about her life during a
conversation frequently interrupted by customers calling to make
appointments.
"When I was younger I got married in Burao [a town 340km east of
Hargeysa] and had two children, but I did not get along with my
mother-in-law - we quarreled so much that I asked my husband to divorce
me and left with the kids.
"When I moved to Hargeysa I couldn't find any work or a way to feed my
kids ... one of my children got diarrhea and died.
"I met some girls who were sex workers and they said it was an easy way
to make a living. The first time my friends introduced me to a man he
gave me some gifts for the children; he also gave me khat to chew. That
was four years ago - now I am addicted to khat and still on the market.
"I normally call the men when I need khat, or they call me to make
appointments with me on the phone. Most of my customers are hotel
workers, telecom executives, businessmen - even one minister.
"The best time for business is the end of the month, when people have
been paid and come to spend their money with me. Sometimes I even sleep
with them on credit and they pay me when they get their salary.
"I try to use condoms, but if they don't have one and I have run out,
then I will do it without one. I know about HIV, and recently when I got
sick I thought I had it, but the test said I was negative.
"Sometimes the work can be dangerous; recently I was picked up by a rich
businessman in town, who took me to his house. When we got there he
wanted to have anal sex, but I refused. He beat me up so badly that I
was in bed for days.
"I would like to leave this work. If Allah gives me a chance, I'll
change, but if not, I'll be doing this for ever."
kr/he
* Not her real name
Source: IRIN
|
