Empowering sex workers? Critical reflections on peer-led risk-reduction workshops in Soweto, South Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19530259 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Huschke (0000-0002-3070-5162, Queen's University Belfast, corresponding author), Susann Huschke |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1522149 |
| Publication date | 2019-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Global Health Action (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/16549716.2018.1522149 |
| PMID | 31154992 |
| OpenAlex | W2911185882 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 10 |
| References cited | 25 |
Background: Sex workers in South Africa face various forms of structural and interpersonal violence, including police violence, exclusion from health services, and stigmatization and marginalization within their communities. In an attempt to counteract the harmful health effects of criminalization and exclusion, risk-reduction workshops are a key component of HIV prevention programs globally. This paper offers a critical investigation of Creative Space workshops – a South African model of risk-reduction workshops for sex workers – taking place in Soweto, Johannesburg. Drawing on Paulo Freire’s work, the paper explores the potential of these workshops to contribute to the empowerment, health and well-being of sex workers.Objectives: The aim of this paper is to investigate the social and psychological effects of peer-led risk-reduction workshops for sex workers in Soweto, South Africa, with a particular focus on the ways in which they might contribute to community empowerment.Methods: This paper is based on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 32 sex workers conducted as part of a 20-month ethnographic study (December 2015 to July 2017). Data was analyzed combining inductive thematic analysis with a theoretical frame based on Freire’s theory of community empowerment.Results: Peer-led risk-reduction workshops can serve as a ‘safe space’ for sex workers and distribute empowering forms of knowledge, particularly regarding health issues and rights. However, divisions between different groups of sex workers and between sex workers and non-sex workers counteract the potential benefits of the workshops.Conclusions: Peer-led sex worker programs are likely to be more empowering when they are committed to raising critical consciousness and creating solidarity, and embedded in community action, focusing on common issues such as institutionalized racism, livelihood insecurity, and lack of access to safe and secure housing. Such actions would have positive outcomes on health and well-being
Economic growth · Economics · Peer review · Political science · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Sex work and related issues
Sex work and condom use in Soweto, South Africa
Developing a Female Sex Worker-Led Program to Improve the Uptake of Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in South Africa
Visibilizing the economic oppression of sex workers and the imperative of donor support
Toward improving anal health care among GBMSM in Kenya
Integrating Anogenital Health Care Into HIV Programs for Queer Men in Kenya
Beyond the pill
Exploring the contribution of self-help groups to sexual and reproductive health and HIV outcomes for female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa
A Systematic Review of Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Interventions for HIV Key Populations
Strategies and Interventions Used to Prevent Violence Against Sex Workers in the United States
Examining Professionalisation as a Strategy for Sex Worker Empowerment and Mobilisation
The Politics of Education
Sex-work harm reduction
Cultural Action and Conscientization
Impact of Stepping Stones on incidence of HIV and HSV-2 and sexual behaviour in rural South Africa
HIV Prevention Among Sex Workers in India
The Discovery of Grounded Theory
Community empowerment and involvement of female sex workers in targeted sexual and reproductive health interventions in Africa
Impact of five years of peer-mediated interventions on sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya
Victims Without a Choice? A Critical View on the Debate About Sex Work in Northern Ireland
Challenging the stigma of sex work in India
Negotiating the city
The Social Conditions for Successful Peer Education
Promoting Health for Transgender Women
Social-Environmental Factors and Protective Sexual Behavior Among Sex Workers
From competition to community
| Unique citing works | 10 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1.67 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2025 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 9 |