By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Ms. Nicola Taylor consultant for the Caribbean Regional Office of the United National Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) led the research dissemination team.
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Contrary to popular belief, Spanish-speaking women do not regard themselves as Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), according to research findings disseminated in Nevis and in St. Kitts recently.
The research was undertaken by MEASURE Evaluation consultants early this year. “Spanish-speaking women we interviewed did not identify themselves as sex workers – which is similar to the issue of local women not distinguishing themselves as CSWs – because they are not “visibly” practicing sex work, they are not street based nor do they necessarily operate out of bars or brothels or work with a pimp, they are not engaged in the CSW activity full time.
Spanish bars may be a venue for sex work, but they are also seen as community centres for the women to socialise,” stated the consultants in a document titled An HIV and AIDS Situational Assessment: Barriers to Access to Services for Vulnerable Populations in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The research assessment team from MEASURE; Evaluation consisted of Dr Ifeoma Udoh, Resident Technical Advisor and Project Director, Ms Alana Lum Lock, and Nelia Hoffman. Financial support and technical guidance to implement this assessment was provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Barbados. Ms. Nicola Taylor consultant for the Caribbean Regional Office of the United National Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) accompanied the MEASURE Evaluation team to the Federation.
The research findings are expected to enable the Ministries of Health and stakeholders identify who are the most vulnerable groups in the Federation in order to tailor HIV/AIDS programs that suit them.
~~Adz:Right~~ But the study confirmed that in both Nevis and St. Kitts, those in sex work include both foreign Spanish-speaking girls and women and local English-speaking girls and women. “Those involved in transactional sex; lost often include local girls and women. They operate out of bars and often work with a pimp, who may not be the bar owner and often stay within the Spanish-speaking community where they feel safe. Spanish speaking women and local women involved in sex work are moving between St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The women interviewed reported having been tested for HIV at private facilities, for purposes of citizenship, and felt that the service was confidential, “local women do not self identify themselves as commercial sex workers neither does the local community identify them as so. Tourists will work with taxi drivers and hotel staff to set up dates with local sex workers. There is speculation that women in debt engage in paid sexual exchanges in order to avoid debtors prison. Local men are not only clientele for commercial sex workers. Foreigners will request them through taxi drivers and hotel staff.”
Informal reports indicate that transactional sex may be occurring with girls as young as or even younger than 16, and boys of their own age and often older men, including married men. Local women involved in transactional sex will often exchange sex for favours – including paying bills, buying groceries, buying clothing and electronics or in many cases, receiving a cell phone top-up (extra money added to pre-paid phones), the study found out.
~~Adz:Left~~ According to the research findings, despite the fact that many women in long-term relationships indicate that they feel vulnerable to HIV because of men not being faithful to them, they do not use condoms based on the longevity of the relationships. Women who often have unfaithful partners do nothing about it because of the economic support and security that comes from their partners. “There is an element of intergenerational sex – the women interviewed were aware of young women who have sex with older men, often with married men,” according to the study.
The consultants have recommended that condoms be made available at ‘Spanish bars’ and where women congregate. Working with bar owners, proprietors and increasing educational materials made available in Spanish is recommended. Also suggested is engaging Spanish speaking doctors to discuss and provide HIV/AIDS/STD materials and education.
English-speaking women the researchers recommended could be reached with HIV/AIDS education at hair and nail salons and where top-ups are available. Targeted peer outreach is also recommended especially on Fridays ‘pay day.’
Researchers also recommended that taxi cab drivers and hotel workers could be trained to deliver messages. Also suggested is addressing the ‘top-up’ by working with phone companies and top-up vendors.
