There is fear but there is no other work’

A preliminary qualitative exploration of the experience of sex workers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15098262
AutoresBrendan Kiernan (Georgetown University, autor correspondente), Ranit Mishori (0000-0002-4292-0580, Georgetown University), Maurice Masoda
Ano2016
Volume18
Fascículo3
Páginas237-248
Data de publicação2016-03-03
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2015.1073790
PMID26414956
OpenAlexW2201612609
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas11
Referências citadas19

Two decades of conflict and insecurity have had a devastating impact on many in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including marginalised groups such as sex workers. In the province of North Kivu, many residents face desperate conditions that render them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. As a result, many turn to the sex trade in what can often be described as 'survival sex'. This small-scale qualitative study explores the experience of urban sex workers in the eastern region of the DRC. Sex workers were recruited at their place of business and asked to participate in a semi-structured interview. Eight participants were recruited, including seven women and one man. Our analysis identified several themes: (1) economic hardship as a catalyst for joining the sex trade, (2) significant work-related violence and (3) a paucity of available resources or assistance. Responses to specific prompts indicated that sex workers do not trust law enforcement and there are significant barriers to both medical care and local resources. Further studies of this vulnerable population and its needs are encouraged in order to develop programmes that provide the means to manage the hazards of their work and obtain an alternative source of income

Democracy · Domestic violence · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Family medicine · Law enforcement · Poison control · Political science · Politics · Population · Qualitative research · Sex work · Social science · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Suicide prevention · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Law · Medicine · Sex work and related issues