Not Your Average Candidates
Turkey’s Brothels Produce Two Election Candidates
Two former prostitutes are running for seats in Turkey’s July 22 election to raise awareness about the stigma sex workers face in the nation. With little chance for political victory, they say their goal is to change society instead.
How could this not catch my eye? The cover story on Women’s eNews is a compelling one indeed. This prostitution system that is in place in parts of Europe is unfamiliar to most Americans. There, prostitution is government-run in such countries, offering health benefits and even retirement. But the downside to such a life, as mentioned in the article, is that you forced to register with the police. Such a record is used when running background checks on you and your family members and is used as a way to screen out undesirables.
In a way that is similar to the United States, there is a negative stigma that surrounds workers in the industry. In a way for them, it is a catch-22 because their government funds the occupation, along with benefits and retirement but society treats the workers as outcasts. I find it ironic that in society that mostly consist of strict Muslim’s, prostitution is even a legal way to earn a living.
Another disturbing fact is that many of these women do not chose their occupation. Like the two women discussed in the article, both were sold by their families into prostitutions as young girls. They are then forced to work to pay off their sale price. Once their debt is paid, they are free to leave. Unfortunately, society is not welcoming them with open arms.
These women admit that the chances of winning are slim to none, their goal goes beyond votes. Their goal is to raise awareness about the inhumane way women are treated under the government controlled prostitution business. They also want to show that they aren’t bad people as their society would have you believe. If they are able to at least get people thinking about the problem, that is the first step to change.
women, prostitution, Turkey, government, sex, politics
