Paper short abstract:

Transactional sex (TS) in conflict areas is multi-faceted, from sex work to occasional transactions. It helps survival but is risky and rooted in unequal power. We seek a future where voices and needs of people engaging in TS will be leading in policies and strategies of humanitarian agencies.

Paper long abstract:

Transactional sex (TS) in conflict areas is multi-faceted, from sex work to occasional transactions. It helps survival but is risky and rooted in unequal power. Humanitarian responses to TS have traditionally silenced it or have been focused on ‘rescue’ – seeking to provide sex workers with alternative livelihoods. These responses reflect a moral apprehension of transactional sex without recognizing agency. They are hampered by biases and taboos that may (re)produce or even aggravate structural violence against the people involved.

The participatory research programme ListenH addresses the perplexity of TS in humanitarian contexts and the resulting inadequacy of support to individuals and communities living through or recovering from conflict and disaster who engage in it.

The paper explores current representations of transactional sex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Discourses on transactional sex in DRC are inextricably interwoven with stories of sexual violence. Lately, the sexual violence within humanitarian response programmes has further complicated the discussions on how to represent and support men and women engaging in transactional sex.

The paper draws on a survey among sex workers and a number of focus group discussions. It brings out how multi-faceted transactional sex in the country is, and seeks to contribute to a future where voices and needs of people engaging in transactional sex will be leading in policies and strategies of humanitarian agencies and other service providers.