Pathways to Sex Work in Nairobi, Kenya
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Fractured families: pathways to sex work in Nairobi, Kenya by Melanie Dawn Ross B.A., University of Victoria, 2001 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Anthropology Melanie Dawn Ross, 2008 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Fractured families: pathways to sex work in Nairobi, Kenya by Melanie Dawn Ross B.A., University of Victoria, 2001 Supervisory Committee Dr. Lisa M. Mitchell, (Department of Anthropology) Supervisor Dr. Eric Roth, (Department of Anthropology) Departmental Member Dr. Helga Hallgrimsdottir (Department of Sociology) Outside Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. Lisa M. Mitchell, (Department of Anthropology) Supervisor Dr. Eric Roth, (Department of Anthropology) Departmental Member Dr. Helga Hallgrimsdottir, (Department of Sociology) Outside Member The reasons why African women become engaged in sex work have received little attention in academic research. While it is largely acknowledged that there exists a connection between entering the sex trade and poverty, not all women who are poor enter sex work. Through the use of life histories with 21 women between the ages of 18 and 42, this thesis explores the combination of factors that lead women and girls to become commercial sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya. This method provides a detailed look at initiation into sex work as it occurs over the life course for women and girls in this context. Additionally, this thesis examines how structural violence impinges on their lives, thereby increasing vulnerability to engagement in sex work. Examining the larger socio-political and economic contexts illustrates how issues such as HIV/AIDS, migrant labour, changing gender roles, the erosion of existing familial structures and gender inequities structure risk for suffering for women. These issues result in many girls losing caregiver support by being orphaned, while additionally, women are burdened with providing total economic and social support for the family in a society that has gendered economic opportunities. Both girls and women are left with few options other than the sex trade to survive. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ...................................................................................................................................... ii Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................iii Table of Contents................................................................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgments..............................................................................................................................................vii Dedication ..........................................................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Research Objective................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Research Questions ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Significance............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Methodology and Methods..................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Thesis Outline ......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.6 A Note on Terminology .......................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Ethnographic Context ............................................................................................................................ 9 2.2 Structural Context ................................................................................................................................ 14 2.3 Health Promotion Interventions Aimed at FSWs ............................................................................... 19 2.4 Gender, Poverty and Gendered Economic Opportunity.................................................................... 23 2.5 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................. 25 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY AND METHODS.............................................................................. 27 3.1 Methodology ......................................................................................................................................... 27 3.2 Participants........................................................................................................................................... 32 3.3 Recruitment of Participants ................................................................................................................. 34 3.4 Methods................................................................................................................................................. 35 3.5 Materials and Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 46 3.6 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................. 60 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS.............................................................................................................................. 63 4.1 Group Factors and Themes ................................................................................................................. 65 4.2 Age Analysis.......................................................................................................................................... 79 4.3 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................................. 91 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION ....................................................................................................................... 94 v 5.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 94 5.2 Discussion of Results and Emerging Theory ...................................................................................... 95 5.3 Returning to the Research Questions ................................................................................................106 5.4 Comparison with South Africa...........................................................................................................108 5.5 Age Analysis Discussion ....................................................................................................................112 5.6 Chapter Summary...............................................................................................................................115 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................118 6.1 Future Areas of Study.........................................................................................................................120 6.2 Recommendations...............................................................................................................................121 6.3 Knowledge Translation ......................................................................................................................122 REFERENCES CITED ..................................................................................................................................124 Appendix ‘A’: Interview Questions ..............................................................................................................132 Appendix ‘B’: Participant Profiles ...............................................................................................................134 Appendix ‘C’: Recruitment Poster ...............................................................................................................136 Appendix ‘D’: Letter of Information............................................................................................................137 Appendix ‘E’: Consent Form.........................................................................................................................138 vi List of Tables Table 3-1: Example of Data Matrix................................................................................52 Table 4-1: Recurring Factors Delineated Spatially and