Female Garment Factory Workers in Cambodia: Migration, Sex Work and HIV/AIDS
Date
2002
Authors
Nishigaya, Kasumi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Haworth Press
Abstract
Female garment factory in Camdodia are more exposed to HIV/AIDS than previously thought. Although HIV/AIDS epidemics are fast spreading in Cambodia, relatively little is known about the sexual health of women other than those perceived as commercial sex workers or married women of reproductive age. In-depth interviews with 20 unmarried female garment factory workers, who reported to have engaged an multi-partnered sex through direct or discretionary commercial sex occupations, demonstrate that they are exposed to HIV-risk created along the gradients of power. Low socioeconomic status (low education, meager factory wage and high dependency rate at their rural households) and obligations as daughters to provide for the family mainly determine their entry into sex work. At the location of sex work, they are subjected to physical violence, alcohol and drug use, both self-taken and forced, and receive meager wages. In a society where women are expected to be virtuous and obedient to parents and husbands, these workers are motivated to identify male sex partners in paid sex as "sweethearts" rather then "guests." These factors contribute to low consistency of condom use. This paper demonstrates the complex interrelationships between power, cultural definitions of intimacy and economic dependency, which structure sexual relationships and the risk of HIV/AIDS.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: acquired immune deficiency syndrome; article; Cambodia; controlled study; female; female worker; human; Human immunodeficiency virus; lowest income group; migration; occupational exposure; occupational hazard; occupational health; sexual behavior; sexuali Cambodia; Garment industry; HIV/AIDS; Migration; Youth
Citation
Collections
Source
Women and Health
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31