Bar hostess/bar host

[EDEL KWOBA]

Why do people automatically assume the bar hostess has more to offer besides working in a given establishment and the gentlemen in the same trade are taken seriously???

[Michael Onyango]

Days when Bar Hostesses were taken to be nothing more than sex workers are long gone, nowadays those who offer servicers in Bars and other establishmnets of entertainment are aware of their rights and are demanding recognition as in any other work, but due to the factor that most establishments poorly pay their staff , you will find the workers both males and females go to extremes to make ends meet. The majority of local establishments do not want to employ trained and skilled personnel who demand better salaries, having gone through college, but would rather get desperate workers who they manipulate and pay whatever they think fit. it is because of the unfair and imbalanced situation, where bar hostesses are exposed to HIV and AIDS, sexual abuse, exploitation, physical violence and Rape. I am of the opinion that conferences like the one targeting people in the business enlightens and makes them aware of what needs to be done in a given situation. The Movement of Men against AIDS in Kenya (MMAAK)has a project that targetes this vulnerable groups by engaging them in dialogue and sensitising them on issues pertaining to HIV prevention, Human Rights, Gender and also supporting those that are infected with HIV and AIDS.

[EDEL KWOBA]

I fully agree with your views. One thing that we both missed out is that,unemployement is driving lots of peope to do activities they may normally not. Some people seek for employement in this establishments when in actual sence they are moonlighting as "evening peope".

I would like to enquire from the the organisers what thy have done to sensitize bar hostess in the rural areas. Am sure most are not even aware of this conference and what the organisation is doing for them. The public should also be sensitized on the issue of "kazi ni kazi" so as respect can be gotten for bar hostess once and for all.