female sex workers

Hong Kong

While the stigma surrounding sex work is both well documented and easily recognised, few studies examine stigma in this context from the perspective of the sex workers themselves. In this article we report on a study using a modified grounded theory approach to analyse a series of semi-structured interviews with 49 female sex workers in Hong Kong, in order to examine the ways in which this group experiences and negotiates the stigma which arises from their employment in the sex industry. Article in the Journal of Travel Medicine, 2011, Jan-Feb; 18(1): 1-7.

Bangladesh

A research study on violence against lesbian women, female sex workers, and disabled women in three countries in South Asia—Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. The study investigated the hypothesis that women who are outside the mainstream of the South Asian society suffer high rates of violence and are often unable to seek and receive protection from State agencies. A journal article by Carol Jenkins and Habibur Rahman in AIDS Education and Prevention,Volume:14, Issue:3 Supplement Evaluating HIV Prevention Programs, p97-106. This is a story by Anbarasan Ethirajan which was featured on the BBC News website on the 17 August 2010. An article by

Laos

This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes among health care providers providing sexual health services to female sex workers in the border region of Thailand and Vietnam. Attitudes to sex workers were found to be very poor.

condom use

Objective: To understand condom use between female sex workers(FSWs) and different kinds of partners,and factors influencing condom use among FSWs.Methods: Anonymous face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among 521 FSWs recruited by using Respondent Driven Sampling approach in Shanghai.Results: With steady partners,regular clients and one time clients,the proportion of FSWs who always used condoms in the past one month was 24.0%,54.3% and 72.6%,respectively,and the proportion of FSWs who used condom the last time she had sex was 33.3%,73.9% and 87.3%,respectively.The main reasons f

HIV; entertainment workers

The risk environment framework provides a valuable but under-utilised heuristic for understanding environmental vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers. Brothels have been shown to be safer than street-based sex work, with higher rates of consistent condom use and lower HIV prevalence. While entertainment venues are also assumed to be safer than street-based sex work, few studies have examined environmental influences on vulnerability to HIV in this context.

news story

On International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers the PLRI are circulating a media release to launch their new website and stress the need for evidence based policy making to tackle violence and abuse. There is very little information about the role of Identity Documents in how sex workers access health services and the protection of their human rights. This article from India addresses this important issue. After all the drama of the US government accusing PLRI and NSWP partner SANGRAM of being traffickers because they returned US money rather than sign its anti prostitution pledge, SANGRAM triumphs! A SANGRAM case study

Laos

Article in Contraception, in Press. Condom is the only method promoted for dual protection among female sex workers in most Asian countries, which may be insufficient to prevent pregnancies given sex workers’ high frequency of sexual intercourse.

Brazil

Article in American Ethnologist, Volume 38, Issue 4, pages 666–682, November 2011. This research compared street male sex workers in Santo André, Brazil, that reported consistent condom use with those that revealed inconsistent condom use with their clients, concerning personality aspects, impulsiveness, alcohol and drug consumption, depressive symptoms, sociodemographic data and criminal involvement. Article in Sexual Health 8(3) 390-398. This study examined sociodemographic variables, personality characteristics, and alcohol and drug misuse among male sex workers in the city of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 45 male-to-female transgender sex workers and 41 male hustlers were evaluated in face-to-face

abortion

law

Sex workers from throughout Asia and the Pacific present their arguments for recognition of sex work to the Global Commission on HIV and the Law In Bangkok in March 2011. This is a ‘must watch’ video and a perfect teaching or training aid. Article in the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, Vol 34, p225 – 258. On the 26-27 June 2011 the Global Commission on HIV and the Law will hold a consultation on the Latin America region. The Commission is working to improve HIV responses by addressing key legal barriers and promoting enabling legal environments. You can read more about the commission

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