Author: Dr. Anil Kumar. S, Mr. Chandrashekar C. & Dr. Pradeep Kumara
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04042007
Abstract: Commercial intimacy operates within broader systems of inequality shaped by economic deprivation, gender hierarchies, and migration dynamics. Engagement in sex work is frequently influenced by limited livelihood opportunities and structural marginalization, which shape both entry into the sector and the conditions under which individuals work (Kerrigan et al., 2013; World Health Organization [WHO], 2012). These intersecting inequalities highlight how economic and social structures constrain agency while reinforcing vulnerability.
Situated largely within informal and often criminalized economies, sex work is marked by persistent stigma, discrimination, and legal ambiguity. Such conditions restrict access to essential services, including healthcare, legal protection, and social welfare, while also increasing exposure to violence and exploitation (Scorgie et al., 2013). These patterns reflect broader systemic exclusions that reproduce inequality and limit opportunities for social mobility.
From a social justice perspective, addressing commercial intimacy requires a shift from punitive and moralistic frameworks toward rights-based approaches that recognize sex workers as individuals entitled to dignity, safety, and equal access to services. Evidence indicates that interventions emphasizing community participation and human rights are more effective in improving health outcomes and reducing vulnerabilities (WHO, 2012; Overs & Hawkins, 2011). Understanding commercial intimacy through the lens of inequality and justice is therefore essential for developing inclusive and sustainable policy responses.
Keywords: Commercial Intimacy, Structural Inequality, Social Justice, Gender Inequality, Informal Economy, Marginalization, Human Rights, Public Health, Stigma And Migration Dynamics, Public Health, Dignity, Social Policy.
Page No: 46-50