Click to play videoChennai: The struggle for finding a better living and, in some cases, simply survival is forcing an alarming number of young men from villages to become sex workers in Chennai. Social activists and NGOs pin the blame on rising pressures of city life.
Twenty two-year-old Shyama came to Chennai from his Pazhanganatham village in search of work seven years ago. But when he couldn’t find a job even after a long struggle, he forced himself into sex trade. He says it was the only way he could survive in the metropolis.
"I came looking for a job but I didn't get one. Then I got into this profession and I'm satisfied. I get money and I'm able to send it home and contribute in running the family. I don't think I could earn enough otherwise," he says.
Their increasing number of male prostitutes is evident at sexual health organisations like Sahodara. The NGO counselled 400 men in 2006. In 2008, the number has already risen to 900.
"There are no hard facts or a survey done to exactly say how many men are into sex trade. But taking into account the baseline, a period of five years would have obviously seen a quantum increase. As the population increases, the number of sex workers also increases," Founder Director, Sahodara, Sunil Menon says.
Chennai Police, however, defends that the situation in Chennai is far better than the other metros.
"It is just a hype created by some people for sensation. Chennai is absolutely free from prostitution," Joint Commissioner M Ravi says.
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