State-run IRNA news agency issued a report on the rising number of street women, stating, “They are not very old at all, ranging from 15 to 20. It doesn’t matter, uptown or downtown. After arguing a bit on the price, they board the vehicle of a stranger and go with them. They call them sexual workers. They have no other choice but to give in to this ‘line of work’ alongside their studies in order to provide for their tuitions. They are called criminals, while the true criminals are the customers that lure them to this work.
The prices of one night begins from 500,000 rials and in some cases increases up to 1.2 and 1.5 million rials. In some cases those involved in such activities are less than 14 or 15 years of age. Researchers believe poverty and social inequality are elements that fuel this problem. Various experts believe the most important reason behind the phenomenon of street women is the status of women’s employment.”
