Gates Gives Hookers Smart Cards

WingaWinga MrSouth Africa Icrontian
edited June 2006 in Science & Tech
In a move facilitated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, about 500 sex workers in Mysore have been given chip-embedded smart cards.

These enable them to get discounts at select shops and hotels and earn them loyalty points that can be redeemed for discounts on later purchases.

These cards however serve a dual purpose. They also contain the medical records of the sex worker, who is obliged to get a compulsory health check-up at a clinic once in three months. The card becomes inactive if the holder fails to do this. The sex workers will be checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and treatment provided if necessary.
Vendors and health specialists are provided with Simputer, a handheld device developed by scientists in India. Data is stored in real time at a central server to maintain confidentiality.

Sex workers face stigma and constant discrimination. The smart card is apparently a symbol of self-esteem that creates a sense of inclusion for them in society.
“It is not uncommon for us to buy as many as three new saris a month. Looking attractive is essential in our trade,” Pushpa, a sex worker, said. KHPT officials said that the smart card initiative came from discussion with the sex workers, who identified an incentive of discounts with a health card to be a better alternative than a pure health card.
Source: DNA India

Comments

  • rapturerapture
    edited June 2006
    Sex workers face stigma and constant discrimination. The smart card is apparently a symbol of self-esteem that creates a sense of inclusion for them in society.
    Hahahahahahaha!
  • EssoEsso Stockholm, Sweden
    edited June 2006
    I need one of those cards also, since I need to go the shrink once every three months for a regular checkup,
    due to nervous breakdown from using Windows system.
    Reading all the tragic help threads, just breaks me down ....
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    I should sue Billy Poo for all the pain and suffering that I encounter from pushing that power button, and then realising the horror of that all to perfuect shade of blue that just screams:"SNAFU Mother F'er"
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    airbornflght wrote:
    I should sue Billy Poo for all the pain and suffering that I encounter from pushing that power button, and then realising the horror of that all to perfuect shade of blue that just screams:"SNAFU Mother F'er"

    So, have you switched to Linux yet, or are you just going to endlessly bitch about Microsoft for the next 6 months?
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    .... I thought prostitution was illegal in the US?
  • NecropolisNecropolis Hawarden, Wales Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Enverex wrote:
    .... I thought prostitution was illegal in the US?
    It is, but they are doing this out in India.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Thrax wrote:
    So, have you switched to Linux yet, or are you just going to endlessly bitch about Microsoft for the next 6 months?


    I run linux. I have been for around 6 months to a year, not sure. BUT, it just so happens that certain apps that I use can not be run on linux. Such as the entire adobe collection, Studio 8, and not to mention my games. Yes I know that some will run in WINE, but I dont like the emulation, not to mention that I cant get most to run, and I wasnt bitching, I was trying to be sarcastically funny, infact, I havent had a bluescreeen in over a year, excluding when my NIC took a **** on itself.:honoes:
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    .... I thought prostitution was illegal in the US?
    Legal in Nevade, but, I believe, must be based out of a registered prostitution business.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    WINE = Wine Is Not an Emulator.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    I do believe I was :Pwned:
  • VicarVicar Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Perhaps trying to get these women off prostitution, will give them a much healthier self esteem.

    On discrimination double standards, no client = no prostitute.

    A job and decent wage i believe would give them more self worth than a card that screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeems i am a prostitute.

    Just my 2pence worth
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Did anyone notice the location?
    In a move facilitated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, about 500 sex workers in Mysore have been given chip-embedded smart cards
    I bet they're sore! :eek:
  • WingaWinga Mr South Africa Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Full marks for picking that one up Mt_Goat ;D
    That's why the article caught my eye. What a hoot!!
    It may be Mysore after an active night, or Mysore due to all the STD's they so generously passing around.

    Scene at the clinic: "Hey doc check out Mysore..."
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