The Dolly district of Surabaya is one of Southeast Asia’s largest red-light districts. Surabaya’s new mayor has pledged to shut down the area by June 18th. A few weeks ago, over 1200 sex workers marched through the district protesting the closing. They say they won’t be able to earn a living if the district is closed. Anisa, a local NGO worker, says that many of the women don’t have a choice but to work in the sex industry. Many of them have little education and can’t find jobs anywhere else. The mayor is promising the sex workers financial assistance and job training.
According to local reports, the mayor will issue a declaration on Wednesday evening that the district is closed, and police will move in to shut it down. The prostitutes will have to leave immediately. They will receive training for the next seven days. Those whom have come from villages to work will have to return to them.
Pray for these women to be able to find new jobs. Pray for local believers to step in and give training and tell the women about Jesus at the same time.
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