A Case Study of Bwandilo Drinking Joint Demonstrates the Effectiveness of Counselling as an Intervention Technique for the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Prostitutes Society

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The research was conducted in Lilongwe city at Bwandilo drinking joint in area 47 and it sought to assess counselling as an intervention strategy in rehabilitation and reintegrating prostitutes into the society. The objectives of the study were to define counselling in relation to rehabilitating and reintegrating prostitutes into the society a case study of Bwandilo drinking joint, establish the intervention strategies surrounding rehabilitation and reintegration of prostitutes into the society, assess challenges faced in rehabilitation and reintegration of prostitutes into the society, evaluate the effectiveness of counselling in rehabilitation and reintegration of prostitutes into the society. The research design used in this study was a case study. In addition, interviews and questionnaires were also used as research instruments. The data obtained from observations and interviews were presented in themes. The research revealed that counselling is an important intervention strategy in rehabilitating and reintegrating prostitutes into the society. The study also found out that respondents understood the definition of counselling in regard to rehabilitation and reintegrating prostitutes into the society as a helping relationship where prostitutes shun prostitution and return back to the society to live their ‘normal’ life. Short lived projects such as poultry and donation of basic commodity hampers are some of the intervention strategies being done in rehabilitation and reintegrating prostitutes into the society. Lack of sufficient funding and top-bottom approach are some of the challenges being faced in rehabilitating and reintegrating prostitutes into the society. Also, prostitutes input is being left out in coming up with intervention strategies to help them and a blanket strategy is being provided using the top-bottom approach regardless of different geographical settings among other considerations. This research also found out that counselling alone cannot be an effective strategy in rehabilitating and reintegrating prostitutes into society.