Brothels and Fundamentalism

The commentary with the images, unless specified, is of the photographer Kate Orne. We highly recommend that you click on the images to see the enlarged versions which also contains further details about the photos and the subject based upon the description of the photographer and local knowledge of the culture and place.

Arousing movie posters hang discreetly in a corner of a local cinema appear stark and uninhibited, though tame compared to those in the West. Exposed thighs and cleavage have been censored with a black pen. Here a hint of a bra strap or a woman not covering her bosom with a hijab is ravenous display of eroticism.

Repressive fundamental Muslim laws not only shun these women’s existence but also in some areas make their actions punishable by death. However, in their brothels the women are the breadwinners.

This underlying dualism surfaces in portraits of the women sitting proudly on the same beds where they not only service their customers but share with their husbands and children.

Sex workers, old and young, ready themselves for clients. A brother waits outside the building for his sister’s tryst to end. A girl just 15, returns to her little son after a day’s work. A daughter, now the family’s income, squirms as her mother grooms her for a client. Another young girl also looks at us, the symbol not so much of innocence but the continuing struggle for survival within this community. A goat stands, impassive, resilient, and timeless, carrying on far from luxury or technology.

It was these paradoxes that drew me in, forcing me to set aside my Western expectations of how things should be, to deepen my understanding of this culture and it’s complexities. K.O.

Kate Orne
Born in Stockholm, Sweden and currently based in New York. Over the years Kate Orne has worked among the neediest people in Afghanistan and Pakistan using photography as a tool to create awareness for the well being of women, children and animals. Her commitment to social causes has now become the defining part of her life as an artist and human being.

During her recent journey to Pakistan in July 2007, she continued her work among the sex-workers and
their families — re-encountering the daughters, barely teenagers, whom she knew as little girls just two years ago now introduced to the sex trade by their Mothers. At the same time, Kate has also seen the first anti-drug program and two little schools founded for the stigmatized children of the prostitutes, and joined in their efforts to improve the lives for the next generation.

We highly recommend visiting Kate’s website and seeing more of her amazing work. We realise that some people may feel strongly about the content displayed here, why not leave a comment and let us know, we would appreciate your feedback.