Social Construct of Sex Work in India: Implications for HIV Prevention

Abstract

In India, while female sex workers (FSWs) are one of the groups most susceptible to HIV/AIDS transmission, research and interventions typically sidestep FSWs’ stories. The authors use interviews with 20 FSWs to reflect a more recent trend of research that encourages FSWs to tell their stories. Based on the findings that suggest both individual and structural factors influencing women's involvement in sex work, the authors suggest a theoretical framework for designing more comprehensive and culturally grounded intervention strategies targeting this population.

KEYWORDS:

• sex work
• India
• social construct
• HIV intervention
• ecological
• qualitative