8. Conclusion and Implications for Programming
The main conclusion from this research is that commercial sex work must be viewed from a livelihoods perspective if the underlying factors are to be addressed. Current SC programming in relation to CSWs seems to focus more on the provision of information, education and condoms in order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through commercial sex, rather than on livelihoods-related aspects. It has to be acknowledged that the Reproductive Health programme has tried previously to implement income-generating projects and has constantly reported the need for them, however those earlier projects were not considered successful and there has been a reluctance to attempt them again.
There are two basic ways that livelihoods programming could influence commercial sex work:
- Prevention: large-scale interventions such as SC's current food aid programme could potentially have a role in supporting livelihoods and therefore in reducing the incentives for women to engage in sex work. In theory, current targeting of vulnerable socio-economic groups should already fulfill that role. But further research would be valuable to check whether social and political marginalisation of, for example, single mothers might outweigh economic vulnerability when traditional and civil authorities select beneficiaries.
- Direct material support to Commercial Sex Workers: For those already engaged in sex work but seeking a way out, it would be important for SC to re-consider support to income-generating projects. Although previous projects may not have been successful, it seems extremely unlikely that viable projects could not be found and successfully managed.
In addition, it should be emphasized that efforts to target as many CSWs as possible with AIDS-awareness and prevention activities should be re-doubled, as there is an issue of scale which could limit the success of those activities at present. Promoting safe sex and AIDS-awareness among CSWs faces a classic "collective action problem". Currently, a woman can earn more by having unprotected sex than by insisting on a condom. Therefore, if one woman demands the use of condoms, the man can just go to another CSW who is willing to have unprotected sex, and the first woman loses out economically (at least in the short-term, even if her health and life may ultimately be saved). But as more CSWs insist on condom use, clients will lose the option of unprotected sex. At the same time, men should also be targeted for sensitization regarding the substantial cash costs and health risks involved in unprotected sex. Condom availability and uptake is an issue already raised in the Reproductive Health programme, and this piece of research reaffirms that the delivery channels for condoms needs to be reviewed.
Researched and written by:
Michael O'Donnell
Mary Khozombah
Selina Mudenda
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