Clarifying the meaning of transactional sex in sub-Saharan Africa: A review and synthesis of the literature
Literature review on the nature and motivations for women's participation in transactional sex in sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, young women ages 15鈥�24 have more than twice the risk of acquiring HIV as their male counterparts. A growing body of epidemiological evidence suggests that the practice of 鈥渢ransactional sex鈥� may contribute to this disparity. Over the last 15 years, the social sciences have contributed significantly to understanding the meaning of and motivations for this practice. The findings from these studies are rich, but varied, rendering lessons difficult to navigate for intervention and further research. We therefore contribute a historically-grounded, comprehensive literature review on the nature and motivations for women鈥檚 participation in transactional sex in sub-Saharan Africa.
Drawing from over 300 studies (through 2014), we distill three prominent paradigms observed in the literature that we review toward presenting a unified conceptualization of the practice. 鈥淪ex for basic needs,鈥� the first paradigm, positions women as victims in transactional sexual relationships, with implications for interventions that protect girls from exploitation. In contrast, the 鈥渟ex for improved social status鈥� paradigm positions women as sexual agents who engage in transactional sex toward attaining a middle-class status and lifestyle. Finally, a third paradigm, 鈥渟ex and material expressions of love,鈥� draws attention to the connections between love and money, and the central role of men as providers in relationships. We find important commonalities in the structural factors that shape the three paradigms of transactional sex including gender inequality and processes of economic change. We suggest that there are three continua stretching across these paradigms: deprivation, agency, and instrumentality. This review proposes a definition of transactional sex and discusses implications for research and interventions aiming to reduce young women鈥檚 risk of HIV through such relationships. We consider the consequences of drawing from too narrow an understanding of the practice, and highlight the benefits of a broader conceptualization.
This research is supported by the Department for International Development鈥檚 STRIVE Programme which is led by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Citation
Kirsten Stoebenau, Lori Heise, Joyce Wamoyi and Natalia Bobrova. Clarifying the meaning of transactional sex in sub-Saharan Africa: A review and synthesis of the literature. Social Science & Medicine, 2016, vol. 168, pages 186-197