Some Rwandans, including some prostitutes, are calling for limiting prostitution to contain sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
According to Dr. Aphrodis Kagaba, Director of Health Development Initiative (HDI), “legalizing prostitution could help practitioners out of isolation and to fight for their rights.”
Jolie from Gikondo confirmed to Syfia Grand Lac that many women flock hotels and nightclubs to get clients.
However other women said that working in Secrecy causes many problems to prostitutes.
“Officials of hotels have long lists of names with pictures and contacts of clandestine prostitutes they offer to customers who demand,” Jolie said.
“Working in secrecy causes us many losses and yet Clients often refuse to pay us and we do not know how to assert our rights because we are not recognized by law a woman in Gasabo says.
Prostitution is illegal in Rwanda.
The Rwandan Penal Code penalizes various forms of prostitution with imprisonment from three months to seven years and a fine of Rwf 5 million (about $ 8,200).
On National average people living with HIV count only 3% of the population aged 15 to 49 years.
In Rwanda, there would be about 16,000 prostitutes known as such.
The prevalence is highest in Kigali where 56% of prostitutes are infected, while in the eastern province are 33%.
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