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.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/WyBI8C
By: Brendan Kiernana*, Ranit Mishorib & Maurice Masodac
a Georgetown University School of Medicine,
Washington, USA
b Global Health Initiatives, Department of
Family Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, USA
c Department of Family Medicine, Heal Africa
Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
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