VIOLENCE AMONG MOBILE FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN TIRUPATI, ANDHRAPARADESH

Female sex workers are the most vulnerable population group to and they have been prioritised in HIV prevention programs throughout the world. In India, too, FSWs have been recognized as one of the three core high-risk groups population that are worst affected by the HIV epidemic in India (NACO, 2006). Female sex workers are often mobile and migrate to other places, in search of clients, to get rid of stigma and discrimination. Mobility among female sex workers also restricts them to access key health and social services. The present paper, discusses mobility among female sex workers and its role in utilization of key social and health services. The data has been collected in and around Tirupati urban area. A total of 20 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion have been conducted by using qualitative guidelines. Out of twenty in-depth interviews, 10 each from female sex workers and key informants have been conducted with the help of in-depth interview guideline. The qualitative data has been analyzed by using Atlas-ti software package. The results show that, migration among female sex workers is influenced by low socio economic status. Majority of them opined that violence among female sex workers is predominant when they were in migration. Lack of support system, poor knowledge about the service facilities, fear of identity disclosure are major factors to restrict them in accessing the service facilities. Health problems, violence by different perpetrators, availability of condoms are their immediate concerns to be addressed during the destination places. Addressing violence and enhancing knowledge about social and health services should also be included in HIV prevention programs.