'She's a professional like anyone else': social identity among Brazilian sex workers.
Community mobilisation among sex workers is recognised as an important HIV/STI prevention strategy. However, factors such as poverty and stigma often negatively influence participation in activities that attempt to mobilise around a common identity of 'sex workers'. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the relationship between social identity and participation among 24 sex workers enrolled in an HIV/STI prevention intervention research project with a community mobilisation component. The relationship between social identity and participation was found to be a dynamic process in which participation in project clinic and community-based activities was motivated by three overlapping strategies: participation for psycho-social and health benefits; participation to improve individual status; and participation to change group status. Rather than mobilising around a 'sex worker identity', we conclude that projects with a community mobilisation approach may be more effective if they facilitate space for critical self-reflection and opportunities for collective action with an emphasis on acceptance and solidarity.
Murray
Laura R
LR
Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
Lippman
Sheri A
SA
Donini
Angela A
AA
Kerrigan
Deanna
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D012922:Social Change; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D055815:Young Adult