Identity I however beg to differ with these right wing feminists; such stale theories are based on outdated notions of sexuality that existed to constrain sexual practice and regulate the behavior and sexual expression of women. Indeed, such an analysis asserts that anti-sex work feminists are themselves pandering to a construction of sexuality that is a product of the patriarchy. This is part of a binary construction of women's' identity as being either a 'good girl' or 'bad girl', a notion which we must undermine if we have to achieve equality inclusive of diversity in expression of sexuality and gender. To be reduced to a stale analysis and theoretical debate which doesn’t appreciate the personal stories and accounts of sex workers, feminists are themselves contributing to the marginalization of prostitutes, simplifying the nature of the work they carry out and the personal circumstances that involve each individual. Further, the paternalistic argument that women need to be protected from sexual exploitation fails to justify the continued criminalization of sex work. This argument claims that in order to protect women against such exploitation, society should imprison all women who engage in sex work. This argument is reducible to a claim that languishing behind bars is a preferable fate for a woman as opposed to allowing her to freely sell her body, if this is what she chooses to do. Thus, the advocates of this argument would prevent women from being degraded by demeaning them even more severely by locking them up in a prison cell. Legalizing it would provide prostitutes with a license. This license would require regular testing and minimize the possibility of transmitting diseases. Licensing also screens out criminals, addicts, the diseased, and the under aged. It would require and provide drug testing, medical checks and health education. Legitimate solicitation would replace pimps and organized crime. In Amsterdam, Holland, this procedure was tested and worked phenomenally. Spreading diseases was reduced and they set up ‘zones' where it was legal, and family oriented people who did not want this occurring in their neighborhood, chose not to live in those designated areas. This tight zoning eliminates insecure and unsafe areas due to the immense secu‘The emotional, rity. In concluding, let the preamble to the international charter of sex workers beacon our jurisprudence in its citation that, ‘’Like other entertainment workers of the world, sex workers use brain, ideas, emotion and sex organs, in short, their entire body and their mind to make people happy. As entertainment workers, they simply seek governmental recognition and fulfillment of their just professional demands and freedoms.’’ Redress is in striking out section 153 to 156 of the penal code which fly loathe of the new constitutional dispensation in Kenya; that of equality, liberty and dignity for all, sex workers included! - ERIC MAWIRA GITARI
sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, "It's a girl."‘ Shirley Chisholm
25 And Fabulous... Getting to 25 years and above has become a worrying period for each gay and lesbian person. They do not know what to expect but one thing is for sure; every coping strategy they apply either works or leaves them with blemish that is hard to erase. Those that are ostracized are crushed emotionally, physically and socially and result to lying that they changed to heterosexuality, making everyone else think homosexuality is a choice. Inside, they die every day, knowing that they will never really get to be themselves and happy. Emotional misery becomes their constant companion. The pain in a voice that describes how sorry one feels sorry for their parents for expecting too much that may not come to be, the frustration that they cannot conform to their expectations, the fear of being branded a failure and the coming out issues they have to deal with during every stage of their life are a gay man and woman’s worst fears. However much we remain a happy people in every aspect of living our lives, this issue does not appear to be one that will go away any time soon.—KATE KAMUNDE
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