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Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 17:10 GMT 17:10 UK

The majority of women would never get involved in prostitution unless they were desperate. But it's not possible for everyone to set up a business to make a living. Most businesses fail, so the governement would want to have some other programmes for poor people, such as supporting them in meeting the highest costs they face, such accommodation, education, day to day expenses, etc. The problems of poverty and underdevelopment affect many people, not just those engaged in the sex trade.

Simon Collery

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 16:58 GMT 16:58 UK

Does Malawi have such a big police force that each prostitute can be followed to ensure conditions for loan are being met?
Rather, Malawai should consider
a) legalizing prostitution (which means tax revenue)
b) mandatory screening for all STDS + aids in order to retain prostitution license.
Those who fail screening & offer sex = tough penalties.
Soft loans should be offered to all persons who want to start small business - not just female prositutes - because selectivity is discrimination.

Regina-Gabrielle Berry, Toronto, Canada

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 16:51 GMT 16:51 UK

I considered it a great attempt by the Malawi government to quell the scenario of "sex -for- survival" misery, as this might shift the attitude of prostitutes to another line of work that saves the woman's dignity as well as the risk of HIV/AIDS infection.

In my opinion, all African governments should work toward alternative durable solutions to such problems, because they are acting directly in the process of hindering overall development in the continent by destroying human capacity.

Emam Abubakr, Kuala Lumpur

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 16:41 GMT 16:41 UK

It won't solve enforced prostitution because they won't be able to get the loans and it won't affect the top end because they probably don't need a loan.

Deal with the problem and legalise it. Managed properly it will be far less of a problem for everyone.

Barry Barker, Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 16:22 GMT 16:22 UK

As long as Malawi's unsustainable population grows, so too will prostitution & poverty & deprivation & no matter what action is taken to minimise aids/HIV etc, they cannot ever hope to counter constant growth & increasingly desperate human acts of people seeking to sustain their lives.

Prostitution actually keeps millions of starving & desperate people alive around the world.

Is it better to share decreasing world & national resources among 6.796 billion people, or 4 billion people?

[SKYISBLUESOAMI], UN-SUSTAINABILITY THE EPITATH OF HUMANITY, United Kingdom

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 16:20 GMT 16:20 UK

I think must of the womens that works as prostitutues are definately frustrated and they are not opportune to get married, so they decided to go for this illegal profession. If can be given to them to improve their life and reinstate themselves, "then why not" They need help from the Governments, NGOs, and even from brothers and sisters, because uncontrollable sex might lead to an incurable disease.

Ismaila Sawo, Lameen, the Gambia

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 16:16 GMT 16:16 UK

I love the way all the self-satisfying moral crusaders out there just cannot fathom the idea that maybe some of these women actually enjoy their job!

Paul Smith, Leamington Spa, United Kingdom

Even promiscuous women have standards. Do you think that they would sleep with these men for free?

[Corruptuser], United States

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:59 GMT 15:59 UK

It is only an offer;an attempt to help. What is wrong with options?
Better a soft loan than a jail term.

[pontiac1], Little Neck, United States

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:53 GMT 15:53 UK

Can loans stop prostitution?
what a joke. old and past their prime hookers might need a loan but how could they repay? prime hookers make good money, have separate bank accounts for deposits from each gullible john who wants to "save" them. they support their families at home, put their siblings through school while partying nightly with their friends. what they need is legality.

rcd nelson

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:42 GMT 15:42 UK

Well, somebody is not thinking right. What is that? A loan, meaning repayig back! What the prostitutes get on the streets is theirs to keep. The loans will be thought to go towards starting businesses maybe. Any business person knows demand is key to success. Prostitutes have a lucrative business with customers flocking in in droves. I am afraid there will be no business that can beat what they are in today. What is next, give loans to the johns to go to the bar instead of running the streets?

Gregory Angaluki Sasita, Arlington, United States

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:36 GMT 15:36 UK

Let's face it women have been sitting on their own little gold mine for millenia and prostitution will continue for longer than me or this scheme. I would suggest that the policy of offering loans will fall at the first hurdle and not achieve it's desired objectives. Rather spend the money on education, regulation and legitimisation.

Ben, Dover

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:32 GMT 15:32 UK

I think that MEN can make a difference and maybe help end the trade if they stopped paying prostitutes for sex.No demand ,no supply.simple.Men make a difference,Its not a moral obligation ,its an issue of creating an enabling environment.

Mweemba vanessa Nchimunya, Monze, Zambia

It isn't only men who engage in this you realise. I know a couple of women who quite happily fork out for the odd horizontal tango with a younger man. But funnily enough this seems to shock people less. Why?

[giganticjess], Paris

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:31 GMT 15:31 UK

I would be well impressed if a group of prostitutes took the loan and started a brothel. Security staff and organised bookings. That would be a booming business which would be much safer for the women involved.

Makes me laugh how women strive for positions of power but girls prostitute. Makes them sound less in control of their lives as if victims. Read some of the comments and it is easy to see if they are fore or against depending on that choice of label

wayne, lancs

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:31 GMT 15:31 UK

Yes, throw money at the problem, that will work. And what are these women going to do if their business plans fail and they have to pay the money back?

Investing in education programmes that are accessible to sex workers would give them an opportunity to reach a point at which they can open a business. Then lend them the capital to get started.

Alice W, Bristol, United Kingdom

Added: Thursday, 12 November, 2009, 15:25 GMT 15:25 UK

So the sex workers who take up the offer of the loan and are granted it will maybe move on to another line of work, which will make room on the streets for another batch of prostitutes. The problem will not go away. The world's oldest profession will not go away.
Legalise, legitimise and regulate - that will help to eliminate the darker underworld side. Sex workers should have status and recognition to keep them out of the hands of the pimps and profiteers. Let's not be hypocritical about it.

[giganticjess], Paris