Zambian TV Gives a Second Chance to Former Escorts

A Zambian TV has broadcasted a reality show to help ex-escorts to find husbands and fathers for their children. 18 prostitutes from Zambia were the candidates to get a prize of about 9,000 dollars for their wedding celebration. Muvi TV, which produces “Ready for Marriage” show expressed their hope in these girls to receive a second chance in life. They had been gathering the women from the streets all over the country. "We’ve decided to give them an opportunity to change their lives. Everyone deserves help," told us Corrina Paolini.

The BBC's Mutuna Chanda in the capital, Lusaka, says there have been many conflicts about the show because of its contradictive idea and extraordinary participants, so the reaction of the public was mixed. Only former escorts were included in the competition. Jeff Musonda, Zambian local preacher, gave his approval to the escorts’ participation.

"If those women stop their activity, I have no protests. However if it's about seducing the audience, I will be against them," he told to journalists. Some contestants said they were working as escorts because they hadn’t got any support to look after their children. "I had no one to turn to and two children whom I had to feed," said 28 years old Kawainga. "The prostitution was the only hope for me and my children. My husband has left me," said another.

All the contestants who are mostly liked by viewers would receive consolation prizes of $1,000 or $1,500. In addition, they would also be offered full-time job-positions, so everything depends only on them. "It is not fair to have prejudices about them because of their past," Prisca Chisenga expressed her understanding point of view.