COVID- 19: Sex workers now trading online
MBA BAN E–As the country experiences serious consequences of t he COVID- 19 imposed lock down, sex workers decided to move their trade to online platforms.
A website and ana pp have been created for the sex workers to interact with their clients on a regular basis without having to wait by the roadside at night. This invention has been necessitated by the curfews that have been imposed by government due to the current COVID- 19 pandemic.
An app is a computer programme or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or a watch.
WEBSITE HAS BEEN DESIGNED
The website has been designed and is hosted on wix. com limited, which is an Israeli software company that provides cloud- based web development services. The site allows users to create web and mobile sites through the use of online drag and drop tools which require only an email address to get started.
The website is unlike other common dating sites on the internet because it has been specifically created to sell sex and emphasises on the financial transaction from the onset. The site is titled Hook Up Eswatini .
Contacted through their inbox, the unknown administrators of the website confirmed t hat t hey have been necessitated by the COVID - 19 pandemic to explore the online platform.
“The lockdown rules greatly affected our work since mingling with people is strictly prohibited yet we can only make money through mingling with people. The curfew had a specific effect on our work such that in Manzini some of our sisters were arrested for being found loitering at night,” said the administrator.
The administrator of the page elaborated that they had to come up with a strategy that would ensure that business continues because the ladies depend on the income they make as their only source of living for them and their families.
“We, however, saw an opportunity in fact one can say the lockdown opened our minds towards the digital platform which has been working wonders for us. Instead of kubulawa makhata emigwacweni ( freezing by the road side) we now post online and interested customers give us a call” they added.
NO NEED TO RAPE!
What sets the website apart is that the welcome message on the home screen describes it as an established platform that aims at curbing rape and domestic violence.
“We say no to rape. Do not find yourself on the wrong side of the law by satisfying your sexual desires with a minor or somebody you have not reached an agreement with. We are always available tofulfil your desires as long as you are willing to dig into your pockets and come out with what we have agreed on,” reads the website.
The website also offers options for clients to link up with sex workers in all four regions of the country. The client is required to enter basic personal identification details such as name, surname, gender, region and age before exploring further.
There is also an invitation to both clients and ladies willing to consensually participate in sex for money to also register.
ENJOY SEXUAL PLEASURES
“If you area lady who is in the business of sex for money or you are a man who wants to enjoy sexual pleasures without violating the SODV Act or abusing anyone, you can send us all your personal details by filling the form below and they will be added into your region as indicated in the menu,” reads a vernacular message in the website.
The website further indicates that in a bid to avoid conflict of interest list and contact numbers are not mentioned until the client and potential sex partner have passed through certain checks and balances from the administration of the site.
The website only reveals the number of female sand males within each region and then after the checks and balances the hook up is then arranged.