Criminalisation and prostitution of migrant women in Turkey: A case study of Ugandan women

Coşkun E.

Women's Studies International Forum, vol.68, pp.85-93, 2018 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 68
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.wsif.2018.03.002
  • Journal Name: Women's Studies International Forum
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.85-93
  • Keywords: Gender and migration, Prostitution, Sex work, Sub-Saharan migrant women, Turkey, SEX WORKERS, TRAFFICKING
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier LtdBased on an empirical research, this paper explores Ugandan migrant women's experiences as cheap undocumented migrant workers in gendered segments of the labour market and in prostitution in Turkey. They often face labour exploitation, discrimination as well as sexual harassment. When these difficulties are combined with the pressure from home and paying off debt, some Ugandan women are even pushed to sell sex. This paper argues that migrant women's involvement mechanisms in prostitution involves varying degrees of lack of choice as a result of gendered migration processes, criminalisation, coercion, exploitation and agency.