Internet Governance · Blog post
Use of mobile phones by vulnerable communities: A survey of sex workers and gay men in Karnataka
This report has been authored by Megha Malnad, Parimala, Nagina, and Tasneem Mewa, and edited by Ambika Tandon, Gurshabad Grover and Rajesh Srinivas.
This report is part two of a two-part series studying the impact of data systems and digital technology on the lives of sexual minorities and sex workers. This project has been jointly conducted by CIS and Sangama.
Abstract
This
report discusses social media and mobile phone usage by gay men, and
women sex workers in Karnataka. Using primary data collected in 2018, we
conclude that phones and social media can be used as a tool to protect
oneself from certain kinds of violence, but also enables the
perpetuation of other forms of violence. On one hand, mobile phones and
social media provide new spaces and avenues to connect with personal and
professional contacts; and can afford greater anonymity to vulnerable
communities facing stigmatisation. On the other hand, phones and social
media apps are another mechanism through which sex workers and gay men
face violence and abuse.
The full report can be accessed here.