ABSTRACT
The existing writings on sex work in India have predominantly focused on two topics: HIV prevention and empowerment and rights of sex workers (see, for example, Asthana and Oostvogels 1996; Blanchard et al. 2005; Evans 1998; Evans and Lambert 1997; Gooptu 2000; Jayasree 2004; Nag 2001; O’Neil et al. 2004; Pardasani 2005; Rao et al. 2003). What exactly goes on between the client and the sex worker, however, has not been studied in any detail. This gap in knowledge is surprising; when sex workers are central to HIV prevention, Indian attempts to shed light on the power dynamics involved in sex-work encounters would contribute to a better understanding of how and why risky situations occur.
