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Sex work is a highly debatable subject in the field of psychology but little has been said about sex work and resilience. Challenges associated with criminalisation of sex work are rife but sex work continues to exist. This study explored the ability of heterosexual street based female sex workers (FSW) to ‘bounce back’ from challenges they face. The study employed qualitative paradigm and a transcendental phenomenological design was used. Snowballing sampling was used to select twelve FSW who participated in semi structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to extract recurrent themes across participants. Participants reported being victimised and physically and verbally abused by clients and the public. FSW showed their resilience by rationalising their role with having a purpose in working as FSW, obligation as bread winners and regarding sex work as legitimate work. They adopted psychological survival techniques and used various safety techniques to cope. The results emphasised importance of employing resilience and strength based approaches in researching and developing training and psychological programmes for sex workers. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

In the subject of prostitution there has been a growing trend towards a sex work discourse, where the selling of sex and sexual services is regarded as a form of emotional and erotic labor. The discourse emerged in response to the self-organization of sex workers into labor unions and citizenship rights groups. In Argentina the first steps towards self-representation of sex workers’ interests were taken in the early 1990s. Gradually the sex workers’ social movement has grown into the labor union Ammar (La Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de Argentina), which actively seeks recognition for sex workers’ economic rights, labor rights and social rights. Although the selling and buying of sexual services has been legal since the early 20th century prostitutes’ rights have been suppressed hitherto. In 2008 Argentina enacted the United Nation’s Convention to combat human trafficking, Palermo Protocol, as federal law 26.364. The law re-enforced the state’s abolitionist policies towards prostitution, which consequently further marginalized the sex workers’ plight. Connecting their services with human trafficking schemes heightened the social stigmatization of sex workers. To contest the institutional violence and social discrimination Ammar presented a law proposal in 2013. The reform asks the state of Argentina to recognize sex work as a legitimate form of labor, thus insuring the sex workers’ labor and social rights. This paper contributes to the aforementioned sex work discourse by analyzing the self-agency of Argentine sex workers. Based on qualitative fieldwork studies I conducted in 2014 in Argentina and employing a feminist methodology my object is to study how sex workers’ counter hegemonic movement redefines their citizenship. To construct a theoretical framework for the case study I will utilize Giorgio Agamben’s paradigm of ‘state of exception’ and compliment Agamben’s shortcomings by advancing feminist- and queer theories, which have radically revaluated the concept of citizenship. The conclusion is that, even though Argentinian sex workers’ requirement for equal rights may be embryonic, it addresses an urgent inclusion of different kinds of sexualities and gender balances to the citizenship discourse. / En el tema de la prostitución, es cada vez más importante la tendencia hacia un discurso sobre el trabajo sexual, donde la venta de sexo y servicios sexuales  se consiederan como una forma de trabajo erótico y emocional. El discurso emergió como consecuencia de la organización de las trabajadoras sexuales dentro de sindicatos y grupos de derechos ciudadanos. En Argentina, los primeros pasos hacia la representación de los intereses de las trabajadoras sexuales, fueron a principios de la década de los 90. Gradualmente, el movimiento social de las trabajadoras sexuales ha crecido dentro del sindicato Ammar (Asociación de Mujereres Meretrices de Argentina) que activamente busca reconocimiento por los derechos económicos, laborales y sociales de las trabajadoras. Aunque la compra-venta de servicios sexuales es legal desde principios del siglo XX, los derechos de las prostitutas han sido reprimidos hasta ahora. En 2010, Argentina promulgó el Protocolo Palermo, como ley federal 26.364, en la Convención de las Naciones Unidas, para combatir el tráfico de humanos. La ley reafirmó las políticas encaminadas a la abolición de la prostitución, que sistemáticamente marginalizó la mala situación del colectivo. Relacionar sus servicios con el contexto del tráfico humano ha agudizado la estigmatización social de las trabajadoras sexuales. Para luchar contra la violencia institucional y la discriminación social, Ammar presentó un proyecto de ley el 2013. La reforma pide al Estado de Argentina que reconozca el trabajo sexual como una forma legítima de trabajo, asegurando así, los derechos laborales y sociales de las trabajadoras sexuales. Esta tesis contribuye al discurso mencionado anteriormente sobre el trabajo sexual, analizando la agnecia de las trabajadoras sexuales argentinas. Basado en estudios de campo cualitativos, llevado a cabo en 2014 en Argentina y utilizando metodología cualitativa y feminista, mi objetivo es estudiar como el movimiento contra-cultural de las trabajadoras sexuales redefine su ciudadanía. Para construir un marco teórico para el caso de estudio, voy a utilizar el paradigma de Giorgio Agamben sobre el “estado de excepción” y complementar sus aportaciones con teoría feminista, que ha reevaluado radicalmente el concepto de ciudadanía. La conclusión es que, aunque los requerimientos de las trabajadoras sexuales argentinas para la igualdad de derechos pueden ser incipientes, reclaman la urgente inclusión de diferentes tipos de sexualidad y articulación de género al discurso de ciudadanía.

L’empowerment, concept central de la prévention et de l'intervention psychosociale et en santé, est recommandé par l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé autant pour les femmes ayant un parcours de prostitution, que plus généralement pour les populations socialement et politiquement défavorisées. Aujourd’hui, bien que de nombreux organismes et professionnels se déclarent promouvoir l’empowerment, la question continue de se poser sur la façon dont ces pratiques s’articulent et se vivent en intervention psychosociale. En plus des paradoxes et contradictions soulevés dans les écrits scientifiques, l'articulation de ce concept est possiblement encore plus complexe auprès d'individus marginalisés pour qui les contextes de vie et les structures d'intervention viennent freiner leur capacité d'autodétermination, comme c'est le cas des femmes avec un parcours de prostitution. L'aspect multidimensionnel des enjeux de sortie de la prostitution ainsi que le vécu d'abus et d'oppression de ces femmes soulèvent des défis importants dans l'établissement d'un lien de confiance et des objectifs d'intervention. Afin de conceptualiser les pratiques d’empowerment, cette recherche de nature qualitative et d’approche compréhensive, a recueilli les savoirs expérientiels de six intervenantes se disant pratiquer l’empowerment auprès de femmes ayant un parcours de prostitution. Les analyses ont permis de décrire : (1) les contextes dans lesquels les pratiques s’incarnent, (2) la façon dont les participantes adaptent leurs pratiques, (3) l’empowerment en tant que processus, (4) les conditions et mécanismes à l’empowerment et enfin, (5) les paradoxes et tensions que les participantes rencontrent dans l’application de leurs pratiques d’empowerment. Les résultats illustrent que les participantes exercent l’empowerment aux niveaux individuel, collectif et structurel, tout en décortiquant les conditions et mécanismes nécessaires pour soutenir le processus. Notamment, les résultats soulignent l’importance de développer une relation basée sur la congruence, la réciprocité et la coopération. / The World Health Organization promotes the use of empowerment-based approaches when working with socially and politically disadvantaged populations in general and more specifically with women engaged in prostitution. With the growing popularity of this concept, it is now used to label a variety of psychosocial practices, however, questions remain as to how these practices are articulated and put into practice in interventions, especially considering that certain authors have highlighted paradoxes associated with the concept of empowerment. The articulation of this concept may be even more complex when working with people who experience social marginalization and for whom life contexts and intervention structures can limit the possibilities of self-determination, as is the case for women with a history of prostitution. There are major barriers in establishing a bond of trust and developing pertinent objectives in interventions. Such barriers are related to the complex nature of exiting prostitution and the long-term impacts of experiences of abuse and oppression. In order to conceptualize empowerment practices, this qualitative research, with a comprehensive approach, gathered the experiential knowledge of six practitioners who describe their practice as empowerment-oriented and work with women who have experienced prostitution. Analyses allow us to describe: (1) the contexts in which the practices are embodied, (2) the way in which the participants adapt their practices, (3) empowerment as a process, (4) the conditions and mechanisms for empowerment, and finally, (5) the paradoxes and tensions that the participants encounter in applying their empowerment practices. The results illustrate that the participants exercise empowerment at individual, collective and structural levels, and dissect the conditions and mechanisms necessary to support the process of empowerment. The results underline the importance of developing a relationship based on authenticity, reciprocity and cooperation.

MA (Youth in Development) / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Commercial sex work (CSW) has turned out to be a subject of concern in most societies. CSW occurs in most countries of the world, and has existed since ancient times. Different nations have different viewpoints with regards to prostitution. In some nations it is illegal while in others it is legal. Prostitution is regarded as a social problem that offends culture, societal morals and values and leads to the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). In most studies about sex work, male counterparts receive little attention but they play a role in the industry. In light of the profiled background context of the problem, this study explored the experiences of female sex workers (FSWs) at Ngundu Growth Point in Zimbabwe. This study endeavored to examine the circumstances that drive women into CSW and the impact of prostitution on the wellbeing of FSWs. The study further examined the role played by government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and health professionals towards service delivery to CSWs. In order to understand the experiences of sex worker intersectionality and feminist standpoint theories were deployed. A case study approach involving Ngundu growth point in Masvingo was utilized. The choice of Ngundu emanated from the fact that it is located along the highway that connects South Africa with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo and as a result, it experiences varying prostitution encounters. Methodologically, the study followed a qualitative research path involving the use of open-ended interviews as data collection methods. A total of nine participants were interviewed that includes sex workers as well as the key informants. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The overall study finding was that prostitution at Ngundu is proliferating due to economic hardships where most people are unemployed and living in poverty. From the field interviews with those involved in the prostitution business, it emerged that the socioeconomic situation in the country is forcing women to be in the sex industry. The recommendation proffered is that is that the government should create employment opportunities for the people, open vocational training centres and there should be awareness campaigns targeting sex workers. / NRF

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Jineterismo, eine neuartige Form der Sexarbeit in Kuba, entstand im Zuge des Zusammenbruchs des Rates für gegenseitige Wirtschaftshilfe (RGW bzw. Comecon) und dem damit verbundenen aufkommenden Tourismus-Boom auf der Insel. Mädchen und Frauen sind am stärksten in diese neue Form der Prostitution involviert. Um den ihnen verwehrten Zugang zu Waren zu nutzen, boten und bieten viele junge Kubaner_innen Tourist_innen im Austausch sexuelle Dienste an. Inzwischen wird der Begriff jineterismo häufig auch über den sexuellen Bereich hinaus auf alle Tätigkeiten übertragen, die dem jinetero oder der jinetera Devisen einbringen.

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No description available.

La présente étude vise à mieux comprendre les trajectoires de vie de travailleuses du sexe indépendantes en s’intéressant au processus d’initiation à l’industrie du sexe, aux variations des pratiques, ainsi qu’aux risques de victimisation et aux stratégies mises en place pour limiter ces risques. Pour ce faire, une méthodologie qualitative a été mobilisée où treize travailleuses du sexe indépendantes ont été amenées à élaborer sur leur trajectoire de vie, de leur enfance jusqu’au moment de l’entretien. Les résultats illustrent des points d’entrée variés et de multiples motivations à offrir des services sexuels rémunérés. Certaines ont commencé en tant que danseuse érotique ou en tant que masseuse érotique, alors que d’autres ont commencé directement en tant qu’escorte indépendante. Si les besoins financiers s’avèrent être un élément influençant leur entrée dans l’industrie du sexe, on remarque qu’il ne permet pas, à lui seul, de maintenir les travailleuses du sexe dans l’industrie. Il y a donc une évolution des motivations au cours de leur trajectoire. Enfin, les risques de victimisation encourus découlent directement de leur relation avec les clients, mais la manière de les filtrer semble limiter considérablement les actes de victimisation. En parallèle, ce mémoire illustre l’amplification de la vulnérabilité des travailleuses du sexe indépendantes en raison de la marginalisation et des mesures législatives qui entourent l’industrie du sexe. / This study aims to better understand the life trajectories of independent sex workers by focusing on the process of initiation into the sex industry, the variations in practices, as well as the risks of victimization and the strategies implemented. to limit these risks. To do so, a qualitative methodology was mobilized where thirteen independent sex workers were led to elaborate on their life trajectory, from their childhood until the moment of the interview. The results illustrate varied entry points and multiple motivations for offering paid sexual services. Some started as an erotic dancer or as an erotic masseuse, while others started directly as an independent escort If financial needs prove to be an element influencing their entry into the sex industry, we note that it does not, on its own, allow sex workers to remain in the industry. We therefore observe an evolution of motivations during their trajectory. Finally, the risks of victimization incurred stem directly from their relationship with the clients, but the way of filtering them seems to considerably limit the acts of victimization. In parallel, this thesis illustrates the amplification of the vulnerability of independent sex workers due to the marginalization and legislative measures surrounding the sex industry.