Prostitution in Uzbekistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prostitution in Uzbekistan is illegal,[1] but prostitution has increased within the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union.[2] UNAIDS estimated there to be 22,000 sex workers in the country in 2019.[3] Many of the women have turned to prostitution in Uzbekistan because of poverty.[4][5]
Law enforcement is inconsistent.[1] Some police officers will harass prostitutes and extort "protection money" from them.[1][5] Sometimes prostitutes work with police as informants to avoid being arrested.[5][6][7]
HIV is a problem in the country, but the true situation is unknown as the Government has manipulated figure to downplay the problem.[8] Prostitutes are a high risk group, and has been blamed for a rise in HIV infections.[2][9] In 2004, of the reported 11,000 cases of HIV in the country, 20% were sex workers.[2]
Clients are reluctant to use condoms.[5][2] UNAIDS estimate 50% condom usage during paid-sex.[10] 95% of Uzbek migrants to Russia use prostitutes whilst in Russia according to a 2009 survey, sometimes this is unprotected sex. Some get infected with HIV and then pass this on to Uzbek prostitutes on their return.[8]
2016 estimates of HIV prevalence amongst sex workers is 2.9%[11]
