Surviving on the streets

It was called AI-Mutanabi street. This dark, narrow alleyway in the old downtown area was once Beirut's red light district. Located not far from the racy nightclubs and cabarets that dotted the Zeitouni area, every door led into a different brothel. Wealthy businessmen, tourists, Gulf sheikhs and locals would disappear to quench their carnal desires. It was open, organized and very legal, says Hoda Kara, general coordinator of Dar Al Amal, an organization dedicated to helping women caught in prostitution

by Executive Editors October 15, 2000

written by Executive Editors October 15, 2000

‘The government used to give licenses to these brothels,” says Kara. “They were well regulated.” That’s not to say that everything was rosy. Then like now, a woman in difficult economic conditions might resort to prostitution to feed herself or her family. But, says Kara, at least the trade was monitored then. Women who worked in these brothels were required to undergo regular examinations, public health standards were maintained and, if a woman did want to get out, the vibrant economy of the time provided more alternatives. Like anyone else, a prostitute working in pre-war Lebanon would likely find life easier than one trying to survive today. Al-Mutanaba street was destroyed during the war. There are no legal brothels open today, even though operating one is technically still legal for those with a license. This has pushed the profession into the murky world of criminals, according to Kara. Desperate women,

Executive Editors

Executive Editors are the collective voice of the magazine. Stories written by Executive Editors are the culmination of discussions, brainstorming, research and information-gathering by our editorial team. Over decades, our editorial team has applied a blend of seasoned expertise and a discerning eye to bring you insightful and engaging and substantive reads that eschew sensationalism.

Surviving on the streets

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