As Myanmar faced a devastating civil war and rampant inflation, even highly trained medical professionals like doctors and nurses are turning to prostitution to cope with the dire economic realities.
Myanmar’s Economic Crisis Pushes Medical Professionals into Sex Work
Myanmar’s Economic Crisis Pushes Medical Professionals into Sex Work
A surge in poverty and economic hardship following the military coup has led many educated women in Myanmar to seek desperate alternatives for survival.
After years of arduous training, May proudly became a doctor in Myanmar. However, her aspirations crumbled shortly after she secured a job. The military coup in February 2021 set off a cascade of disasters that plunged the economy deeper into turmoil, exacerbated by the pandemic's lingering effects. Consequently, inflation soared, eroding her monthly income—originally about $415—into near nothingness.
With mounting bills and a father suffering from kidney disease, May sought alternative means of income. Soon, she discovered the world of “date girls,” women who earned double her pay through sex work. “It’s difficult to accept that, despite all my years of study to become a doctor, I’m now doing this kind of work just to make ends meet,” stated the 26-year-old, who has faced the stigma of entering prostitution in Mandalay while concealing her actions from her family.
The unfolding civil conflict has been catastrophic for Myanmar's economy. The World Bank reported that close to half of the population now lives in poverty, with inflation spiking at an incredible 26 percent this year alone. Contributing factors include widespread power shortages, unseasonal rain that has destroyed crops, and ongoing conflict impacting crucial trade routes with neighboring countries. This economic deterioration has resulted in the kyat losing nearly 40% of its value against the dollar over the past year.
The unprecedented conditions have forced many women in Myanmar, including a new wave of professionals like doctors, teachers, and nurses, into the depths of sex work. As the war rages on, skilled individuals are compelled to make gut-wrenching decisions to ensure their survival and provide for their families, highlighting the desperate state of a nation caught in turmoil.
