First Bath, Then Bed

► Another layer of protection

In new rule, Budhwar Peth sex workers mandate that customer has to bathe before the act to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus

With the announcement of Unlock 4, life may be segueing into the ‘new normal’ for many, but the higher chances of being infected by COVID-19 remain a stark reality. Over at one of Asia’s biggest red-light areas, tucked away in the city’s Budhwar Peth locality, the same fear is rife, leading to yet another unusual rule being made in the name of sanitation.

Just weeks after commercial sex workers (CSWs) made it mandatory for their customers to wear masks during the sexual act, they have now established the norm that every client entering a room or brothel will first have to take a bath.

While forced to get back to work to sustain their financial well-being after some tough months during the lockdown, the commercial sex workers now wish to leave no stone unturned when it comes to safety measures and precautions against the novel coronavirus. Their new rule of washing thoroughly before proceeding with the task at hand is yet another attempt at the same.

Already, most of these CSWs have invested in sanitisers, masks and temperature checking equipment for their own safety, as well as that of others.


As per the new mandate, after the customer bathes in the building itself, he is asked to spray sanitiser all over himself; and, the same needs to be done when he is leaving.

A sex worker from the red-light district elaborated, “Most of us are not well-educated, but we have been briefed thoroughly about the coronavirus and how it can claim lives if we don’t take proper measures. We don’t think sanitisers are enough — germs might still stay on the surface, is what we’ve been told by activists who work for us.”

She added, “At times, there is resistance from clients about taking a bath. They make it look like it is not a big deal if they avoid the step. But, we are very stern and do not listen. Eventually, the customer gives in and obeys. After all, this is essential for us both.”

Another woman from the area echoed, “It is a decision we have all taken in unison. We ask customers to leave if they do not want to co-operate with it. No one amongst entertains such men, who aren’t hygienic or don’t want to take sanitary measures. If we lose out on business that’s okay — we do not want to lose our lives.”

ACSW who also works part time as a social worker in the area further explained the measures being taken, saying, “None of us allows kissing or indulging in any activity without a mask. When the client leaves, we ensure that we sanitise the room and have a bath again. There are pregnant women and children around us. We cannot risk anyone’s life at this moment.”

At present, there are close to 2,000 sex workers in Budhwar Peth. COVID-19 fears are high amid a significant risk of contracting the virus, but the women hope to give their only profession a chance. After months of surviving on donated ration kits and borrowed money, they also wish to cautiously broach the ‘new normal’.

Speaking about the developments, Alka Gunjal, a social worker association with Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Bhavani Peth ward office, said, “There has been immense co-operation from the women’s side so that the virus does not spread in their area. We had maintained this achievement for 110 days straight before a case cropped up in July. There are a few strict guidelines given out that they are adhering to. On top of this list is the strict use of a mask during sexual activity and sanitation.”

The brothel was re-opened in the last week of June and shut only during the two-week strict lockdown at the end of July.

The women are now desperate to earn back the money lost since the outbreak began, and do not wish to lose out on customers. Many are also adamant on not wearing masks while they stand in the alleys and solicit clients, as they say the customers first see their faces and then go ahead with an encounter.

Providing an alternative view, Mathew Mattam, secretary of youth development and activities for an NGO that works in the area, said, “We have been supplying ration kits to the women and helping them out in several ways in the pandemic. I still feel an alternative source of income should be introduced to them for now, until the coronavirus situation abates.”

As for the new initiative, medical experts have not rubbished the idea entirely. Gynaecologist Dr Kailash Joshi, commenting on the precautionary measure, said, “This is a good practice to follow in the times of COVID-19. We anyway advise patients who come to us for check-ups to take a bath when they go back home. In case of CSWs, it is also very important that they, too, bathe post the activity, just to be sure that chances of the infection spreading are further mitigated.”