Beyond marginalisation: The changing dynamics of communication post-COVID-19 among the female sex workers of Kolkata

Abstract

The lives of sex workers feature varying issues of marginalisation. Regardless of the geographical location and surrounding culture, sex work and sex workers face a huge amount of stigma throughout the world. Over time, this prevailing stigma creates stereotypes that mainstream society reinforces through their attitude and daily discourse. Moreover, the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the inequalities and marginalisation experienced by this population group. This ethnographic research explores the changing dynamics of communication post-COVID-19 among female sex workers in the Kalighat red light district of Kolkata. To conclude, the researcher engages in audio-recorded in-depth interviews with 15 female sex workers chosen with the help of the snowball sampling technique. The findings of this research add to the almost non-existent literature concerning sex work and communication and are also helpful to bureaucrats and other policymakers formulating policies for the vulnerable and marginalised. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.