Managing motherhood–the experiences of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

Authors: Nyariki, E., Wanjiru, R., Shah, P., Kungu, M., Babu, H., Weiss, H.A., Seeley, J., Kimani, J. and Beattie, T.S.

Journal: Culture, Health and Sexuality

Volume: 25

Issue: 9

Pages: 1230-1243

eISSN: 1464-5351

ISSN: 1369-1058

DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2153926

Abstract:

Women selling sex often face challenges in raising their children in the context of significant socio-economic difficulties and the social stigma inherent in sex work. This paper is based on a cross-sectional qualitative study that explored the dual roles of motherhood and sex work among female sex workers enrolled for ongoing HIV prevention and treatment services in the Sex Workers Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. We examined women’s experiences and coping in negotiating and managing the dual roles of motherhood and sex work. In-depth interviews were conducted with 39 women randomly selected from 1,000 women included in a baseline behavioural-biological survey conducted in October-November 2020 as part of the Maisha Fiti study. The analysis focused on themes related to motherhood and making a living: (i) entry into sex work; (ii) childcare arrangements; (iii) ensuring respectability for their children; and (iv) pursuit of safety and security. Findings from the study show women’s entry into sex work was necessitated by poverty and a lack of reliable sources of livelihood to support their children. While performing their motherhood roles, the women demonstrate agency in navigating through their stigmatised conflicted sex work role to be able to provide for their children.

Source: Scopus

Managing motherhood - the experiences of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Authors: Nyariki, E., Wanjiru, R., Shah, P., Kungu, M., Babu, H., Weiss, H.A., Seeley, J., Kimani, J. and Beattie, T.S.

Journal: Cult Health Sex

Volume: 25

Issue: 9

Pages: 1230-1243

eISSN: 1464-5351

DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2153926

Abstract:

Women selling sex often face challenges in raising their children in the context of significant socio-economic difficulties and the social stigma inherent in sex work. This paper is based on a cross-sectional qualitative study that explored the dual roles of motherhood and sex work among female sex workers enrolled for ongoing HIV prevention and treatment services in the Sex Workers Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. We examined women's experiences and coping in negotiating and managing the dual roles of motherhood and sex work. In-depth interviews were conducted with 39 women randomly selected from 1,000 women included in a baseline behavioural-biological survey conducted in October-November 2020 as part of the Maisha Fiti study. The analysis focused on themes related to motherhood and making a living: (i) entry into sex work; (ii) childcare arrangements; (iii) ensuring respectability for their children; and (iv) pursuit of safety and security. Findings from the study show women's entry into sex work was necessitated by poverty and a lack of reliable sources of livelihood to support their children. While performing their motherhood roles, the women demonstrate agency in navigating through their stigmatised conflicted sex work role to be able to provide for their children.

Source: PubMed

Managing motherhood - the experiences of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

Authors: Nyariki, E., Wanjiru, R., Shah, P., Kungu, M., Babu, H., Weiss, H.A., Seeley, J., Kimani, J. and Beattie, T.S.

Journal: CULTURE HEALTH & SEXUALITY

Volume: 25

Issue: 9

Pages: 1230-1243

eISSN: 1464-5351

ISSN: 1369-1058

DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2153926

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Managing motherhood - the experiences of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Authors: Nyariki, E., Wanjiru, R., Shah, P., Kungu, M., Babu, H., Weiss, H.A., Seeley, J., Kimani, J. and Beattie, T.S.

Journal: Culture, health & sexuality

Volume: 25

Issue: 9

Pages: 1230-1243

eISSN: 1464-5351

ISSN: 1369-1058

DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2153926

Abstract:

Women selling sex often face challenges in raising their children in the context of significant socio-economic difficulties and the social stigma inherent in sex work. This paper is based on a cross-sectional qualitative study that explored the dual roles of motherhood and sex work among female sex workers enrolled for ongoing HIV prevention and treatment services in the Sex Workers Outreach Programme (SWOP) clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. We examined women's experiences and coping in negotiating and managing the dual roles of motherhood and sex work. In-depth interviews were conducted with 39 women randomly selected from 1,000 women included in a baseline behavioural-biological survey conducted in October-November 2020 as part of the Maisha Fiti study. The analysis focused on themes related to motherhood and making a living: (i) entry into sex work; (ii) childcare arrangements; (iii) ensuring respectability for their children; and (iv) pursuit of safety and security. Findings from the study show women's entry into sex work was necessitated by poverty and a lack of reliable sources of livelihood to support their children. While performing their motherhood roles, the women demonstrate agency in navigating through their stigmatised conflicted sex work role to be able to provide for their children.

Source: Europe PubMed Central