Autobiography of a Sex Worker

Nalini Jameela

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The Westland edition has sold over 10,000 copies. 'Sex workers are free in four respects: we don't have to cook for a husband; we don't have to wash his dirty clothes; we don't have to ask for his permission to raise our kids as we deem fit; we don't have to run after a husband claiming rights to his property.' Fiery, outspoken and often wickedly funny, this candid account of one woman's life as a sex worker in Kerala became a bestseller when it was first published in Malayalam. Nalini Jameela, who takes her name from both Hindu and Muslim traditions, worked as a child in the clay mines. She has been a wife, mother, successful business woman and social activist - as well as a sex worker - at different stages of her life. This is Nalini Jameela's story, told in her inimitably honest and down-to-earth style, of her search for dignity, empowerment and freedom on her own terms.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Personal Journey: Nalini Jameela shares her personal journey from a young girl growing up in poverty to her entry into the sex work industry and her experiences therein.

  2. Economic Exploitation: The memoir highlights the economic exploitation faced by women like Jameela, who are forced into sex work due to poverty, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities.

  3. Stigma and Discrimination: Jameela discusses the stigma and discrimination faced by sex workers in Indian society, including social ostracism, violence, and lack of access to basic rights and services.

  4. Violence and Abuse: The book exposes the pervasive violence and abuse experienced by sex workers, including physical violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse, often perpetrated by clients, pimps, and law enforcement officials.

  5. Legal Challenges: Jameela reflects on the legal challenges faced by sex workers in India, including the criminalization of sex work and the lack of legal protections for those engaged in the industry.

  6. Health Risks: The memoir addresses the health risks associated with sex work, including exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the challenges of accessing healthcare services and support.

  7. Empowerment and Activism: Jameela discusses her involvement in activism and advocacy efforts to promote the rights and dignity of sex workers, including her role as a leader in the sex worker rights movement in India.

  8. Intersectional Identities: The book explores the intersectionality of Jameela's identity as a sex worker, a woman, and a member of marginalized communities, highlighting the complex ways in which gender, class, caste, and religion intersect to shape her experiences.

  9. Resilience and Survival: Despite the hardships she faces, Jameela's story is one of resilience and survival, as she navigates the challenges of sex work while striving to create a better life for herself and her family.

  10. Call for Social Change: Through her memoir, Jameela calls for greater recognition of the rights and dignity of sex workers, as well as broader social and policy reforms to address the systemic injustices and inequalities that perpetuate exploitation and discrimination in the industry.

Language English
ISBN-10 8189975110
ISBN-13 9788189975111
No of pages 143
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Westland Books
Published Date 30 Nov 2010

About Author

Author : Nalini Jameela

2 Books

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