Lagos state’s commercial sex workers and ladies of the night have lamented the negative impact of the Muslim fast period, Ramadan, on their business as they have been recording low patronage since the holy month began.
Encomium reported that some of the fun spots in certain areas of the social state has also been affected by the holy month as there has been low turn out.
The prostitutes in the state also disclosed that the low patronage has further driven down the price of their services.
One of the social workers who pleaded anonymity said: “Most of us you see wandering up and down find it difficult to get any offer from men now, whether short rest or lodging, irrespective of the fact that prices are cheaper now compared to what we used to charge before Ramadan. Although, things were also tough before the month started, not as bad as we experience now.
“Now, we close early. What is the essence of standing till late hours and yet, nothing to write home about. No permanent customer now. If you’re lucky to see any man now, just look for extra way of convincing him if you don’t want to sleep hungry. The economy has been terribly bad even before the fasting. That’s why we now find it more difficult to survive.”
Speaking on the present challenges facing the prostitution business, another commercial sex worker, Joy, disclosed that at times she treks home after toiling all night with no client to patronize her.
“This fasting has spoilt business for us as if all men patronizing us are fasting. Even, the non Muslims among them have deserted us since the fasting started. Even most of us settle for as less as N1,500 now so as not to go back home empty handed. Some times, I trek home. And the fasting has just started. That means we still have a long way to go. Coping without customers is now extremely difficult. Some of us even fight because of men now because very few men patronize us. I don’t have any other trade than ‘runs’. I pray the fasting ends, the business will pick up a little.”