Gates Gives Hookers Smart Cards
Winga
MrSouth Africa Icrontian
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.
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.
Source: DNA India“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.
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Comments
due to nervous breakdown from using Windows system.
Reading all the tragic help threads, just breaks me down ....
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.
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
I bet they're sore!
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..."