Sexual abuse and risky sexual behaviors among young female hawkers in Burkina Faso: a mixed method study

Abstract

BackgroundYoung street hawkers in Burkina Faso are increasingly exposed to workplace hazards such as physical and sexual abuse, and also unsafe sexual practices. The objectives of this study were to identify the socio-demographic status and work characteristics of young female hawkers, describe their sexual behavior and their experience with regards to sex-related violence at the workplace.MethodsThe study used a mixed design combining qualitative and quantitative methods. It was carried out in two traffic stations in Burkina Faso namely Bittou customs station and Boromo bus station. Female hawkers aged 13 – 24 years were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey and local key informants were recruited to partake in an in-depth interview. The recruitment was based on their duties related to the hawkers.ResultsThe study included 264 participants in the survey and 16 interviewees. The survey showed that three quarter of participants had primary education or lower. About half of them had been sexually harassed, with clients, public members and co-hawkers as the most common source of assault. Most (68.6%) hawkers were sexually active; among them 43.7% had received money or gifts for sex. Positive factors associated with commercial sex include working in Boromo and age above 17, while negative factors include being Muslim and having female genital mutilation. The interviews confirmed the relationship between hawking and the socio-economic situation of participant’s family, and pointed out societal factors that expose hawkers to risky sexual behaviors.ConclusionThis study provides a better understanding of young female hawking activity in Boromo and Bittou. Implementing an empowerment program for female street vendors and their families, and an efficient surveillance system might help reduce these hazards.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12914-016-0109-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Changing Cultural Practices: A Case Study of Male Circumcision in South Africa

“…But traditions and cultures are not forever fixed, as can be seen in the growing interest and focus on changing gender relations in society. Black South African mothers, for instance, are beginning to play a key role in the circumcision decision-making process and becoming involved in the preparation and postoperative processes ( Chilimampunga et al, 2017 ; Mavhu et al, 2017 ; Peltzer et al, 2010). Simon’s mother became an agent of change in the circumcision practice in her family by influencing the decision-making process in relation to her youngest son’s circumcision (Simon’s brother) and thereby challenging patriarchy, even though this is not traditionally accepted or allowed.…”

Assessment of Street Trading Activities in Public Spaces (Ikorodu Motor Garage), Ikorodu, Lagos

“…Fecal contamination on food items hawked or traded on the streets has also been reported [17]. In most developing countries, street traders and hawkers are often victims of physical assaults and ritual killings [18], verbal and sexual abuse [19][20], sexual exploitation [21], air pollution [22] and noise pollution [23]. Other consequences are road accidents due to poor roads, reckless driving, the poor state of automobiles plying the roads and noncompliance with traffic regulations [24].…”

Fatores de risco associados à exposição de adolescentes à violência sexual

“…Os adolescentes em descobertas e exploração da sexualidade vinculam ao uso da internet as possibilidades de ampliar vivências e relacionamentos românticos. No entanto, o meio virtual mostrou-se um ambiente de risco para exploração sexual, diante da ingenuidade dos adolescentes para lidar com pessoas desconhecidas (25,28,34,35).…”

“…Na exploração sexual do adolescente, o nível de educação é um fator diferencial na ocorrência desse agravo, sendo reconhecido nos estudos que condições propícias de escolaridade constituem um fator protetor (26,30,34,36,37). Nas discussões quanto ao acesso à escolarização, é referido que o ensino médio completo é essencial, pois o indivíduo possui uma maior consciência crítica com conhecimento de seus direitos perante a legislação.…”

“…Nas discussões quanto ao acesso à escolarização, é referido que o ensino médio completo é essencial, pois o indivíduo possui uma maior consciência crítica com conhecimento de seus direitos perante a legislação. Um maior nível de instrução contribui para maiores oportunidades de trabalho com possibilidade e renda proporcional a suas necessidades, reduzindo as chances de residir ou comercializar nas ruas, visto como fator agravante para atos de violência (26,30,34,36,37).…”