Lifestyles, sexuality and gender: vulnerability to STIs and unplanned pregnancy among female migrant beer promoters in Lao PDR

Abstract

In Southeast Asia, many young rural female migrants supplement their income by working as beer promoters. This study examined how young, female beer promoters working in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, navigate intimate relations and sexual encounters and how their experiences create sexual vulnerabilities. A total of 30 female beer promoters aged 18-24 years old were recruited using snowball sampling. Repeated face-to-face in-depth interviews were undertaken and thematic analysis conducted to identify common themes. Most participants had their first coital experience pre-migration but living in the city introduced them to a larger pool of potential partners. Unprotected sexual intercourse was common, with young women usually deferring to their male partners preference for non-condom use. Working as beer promoters, the sexualised environment of the bar room promoted male ideals of femininity and exposed the young women to sexual harassment. While the young women used various strategies to assert their autonomy, and challenge unequal gender norms, the prevailing male hegemony acted to subvert female sexual agency. Leveraging young urban migrants’ desire to complete education, live independently and postpone motherhood may provide opportunities to examine and challenge gender norms and harmful practices.

Keywords:

• Rural-urban migrants
• female beer promoters
• gender norms
• sexual risks
• urban Lao alcohol
• sales promotion

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of the “Migration, Mobilities and HIV/STI Vulnerabilities” research project. We to thank the IRD Croix Rouge Française for support during the study. We also thank the study participants, and Naomi Stekelenburg and John Cauchi for editing support while preparing this paper for submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material

Summaries of quantitative interviews and other materials used in this article can be accessed by sending a request to the first author.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the study was provided by Expertise France/French Red Cross (Grant number 13INI207), PI. Pascale Hancart Petitet.