Labels, victims, and insecurity: an exploration of the lived realities of migrant women who sell sex in South Africa. Issue 2 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walker, Rebecca; Galvin, Treasa
• Is Part Of: Third world thematics. Volume 3:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• Subjects: South Africa -- human trafficking -- migrant women -- sex work -- labelling; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23802014.2018.1477526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9978

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Based on research work among cross-border migrant women who sell sex in South Africa, this paper examines the ways in which the label 'victim' of human trafficking ignores the complex realities of human mobility. We argue here that as state legislative and policy measures, in relation to human trafficking, justify the securitisation of borders and the curtailment of migrant rights, an accompanying hegemonic discourse serves to deny the agency of migrant women sex workers. As a result, the linkages between human trafficking and migration are experienced by migrant women sex workers through new layers of vulnerability and insecurity.