Prostitution in Myanmar also known as Burma is illegal, [1] but widespread. Women are often lured into prostitution with the promise of legitimate jobs, substantially higher pay, and because their low educational levels makes it difficult for them to find jobs elsewhere. In many instances, such women come from remote regions.
In Yangon Rangoon , prostitution often occurs in hotels that also operate as brothels. The recent appearance of massage parlours began in , with ethnic minority groups such as the Wa running such businesses in particular. Mandalay has many prostitutes working in massage parlours, KTV lounges , stage shows and on the streets. A red-light district has also emerged in Naypyidaw , Burma's new national capital, with brothels primarily disguised as beauty parlors and massage salons that attract mainly businessmen and military personnel.
In all of Southeast Asia Burma is by far the cheapest when securing the services of a prostitute eclipsing even the choice and price in Laos. Sex workers and NGOs report law enforcement to be abusive, violent and corrupt. Prostitutes in Burma are called by a number of different terms. Prostitution is illegal. Condoms were previously used as evidence of prostitution but an administrative order was issued in to prevent condoms being used as evidence.
The Penal Code guarantees protection of female children from sexual abuse, with any persons found having sexual intercourse with a girl of under 14 years with or without consent charged with rape.
The Child Law, enacted in , raised the age of consensual sex to 16 and made prostitution of children illegal. It is an offence to knowingly allow a girl younger than sixteen years of age under one's guardianship to engage in prostitution. There is no obvious corresponding offence for boys. The Child Law also makes it a punishable offence to use children in the creation of pornographic materials. Sex workers are often placed in detention centres prior to being charged.
