The commercial sexual exploitation of girls and young women in Namibia. (10th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: LaFont, Suzanne
• Is Part Of: International journal of gender studies in developing societies. Volume 1:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2015-03-10
• Subjects: sex work -- prostitution -- gender -- women -- Namibia -- pimping -- sexual exploitation -- informal sex work -- transactional sex -- decriminalisation of sex work; Women in development -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Sex role -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Women -- Developing countries -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Women -- Legal status, laws, etc -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Gender identity -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 305.4091724
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-0352

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to examine trends among female Namibian sex workers over time. The current research, conducted in 2013, is an expansion of research conducted in 2006. The questions explored are: Are women beginning sex work at a younger age? Are they sharing their earnings? Are they being forced to share their earnings? And are 'pimps' or third party profiteers, previously thought to be rare in Namibia, emerging as a dynamic in the lives of young female sex workers today? The findings suggest that girls and young women are entering into sex work at younger ages and that a significant number of girls and young women are being sexually exploited and forced to share their earnings. The data presented here identifies a vulnerable population in need of special outreach and targeted programs.