The social construction of sex work among sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Sex work has been highlighted as one of the social problems affecting society. It is the leading cause of the spread of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and Aids and predisposes one to other deviant behaviours such as drug abuse. Theoretically, many studies on sex work have focused on its social problems, factors influencing people to engage in sex work and rehabilitation of sex workers. Most of these studies have taken an etic (outsider) perspective, thus overlooking the lived experiences of those involved in sex work. This study is underpinned by social construction theory. It investigated the social meanings of sex work from an emic (insider) perspective in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, this study examined: the social meanings of sex work by sex workers; how these social meanings of sex work influences the forms of sex work and, how these social meanings of sex work and its form informs action in relation to sex work. The study adopted an ethnographic research design where data was collected from 149 commercial sex workers in Nairobi in places where sex workers solicit for clients like bars, discotheques, clubs, escort agencies, brothels, strip joints, massage parlours and cyber cafes. They were selected through snowball and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using in-depth interview, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. To ensure validity and reliability the researcher looked at intervening patterns, and issues and concepts in the literature and theories that could explain these patterns, concepts, issues and themes and asking what the data as a whole meant beyond the particular sex workers interviewed. The data was thematically analyzed in relation to study objectives. The study found that the social meanings of sex work include: sex work as a livelihood, derogatory, solution to social problems and a way to meet unmet expectations of lifestyle. The study established that there are various forms of sex work which include: street-based, sex den, home-based, bar/club/discotheque based, escort-based, Brothel-based, call boy/girl/lady-based, strip-based, massage-based and cyber-based sex work and all these forms were influenced by the social meanings of sex work by various sex workers. The study further observed sex workers faced various structural challenges such as Stigma, Competition from other sex workers, Security and Physical harassment and Health risks. Regardless of the structural challenges the tactics adopted by sex workers to mitigate the structural challenges include: drinking, enticing family members with tokens, use of pseudonyms and migration to other places, appealing dress code, choosing strategic locations, networking, polishing their language, grooming themselves nicely, underhand tactics, modern marketing tools, fighting back, restricting themselves in certain localities, forming protective groups, migrating to other areas or forms of sex work, avoiding consumption of alcohol, bribing law enforcers, dressing formal attires in hot spots, negotiating with clients for safer sex, visual screening, taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and enrolling in health check-up for HIV and STIs. The study concludes that sex work is as a result of individual structural challenges people face in the society in everyday life. The study recommends sex work prevention strategies should not only focus on empowering people with knowledge but should strive to understand how economic, social, and cultural factors shape an individual’s action towards sex work. The government can offer capital to the vulnerable population who can resort to sex work as a livelihood so as to start income generating activities moving them away from sex work. Inaddition, the government should enforce the minimum pay policy to minimize exploitation and enable all Kenyans in employment to earn reasonable pay. This will help in eradicating cases where those with meagre salaries venture into sex work to boost their income. Lastly, there is need to address sex work based on the unique individual factors that make sex workers engage into sex work.