Economic pressures drive married women in Arua into commercial sex-survey
More concerning is that 30% of the sex workers surveyed were found to be HIV positive. With Arua City's HIV prevalence currently at 4.4%, the statistics are cause for alarm.
In an alarming revelation, a recent survey by Makerere University School of Public Health found that 40% of female commercial sex workers in Arua District and Arua City are married.
This challenges the stereotypes around sex work in the region.
According to the research, among the 640 respondents, 31% are cohabiting, while 9% are officially married.
This paints a troubling picture of economic survival intertwined with intimate relationships.
“This isn’t just about sex work; it’s about women trying to navigate through severe socio-economic hardships,” says Bernard Amaga, Arua City Health Educator and HIV Focal Person.
“The fact that married women are engaging in commercial sex work shows how deep-rooted the economic struggles are.”
More concerning is that 30% of the sex workers surveyed were found to be HIV positive. With Arua City’s HIV prevalence currently at 4.4%, the statistics are cause for alarm.
Amaga highlighted that the survey, although conducted in 2022, is still relevant and gives an insight into the region’s ongoing struggles.
“A new study is underway, and the results will be key to shaping future strategies,” he added.
Judith Bako, Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Arua’s Central Division, attributes the high HIV prevalence partly to the region’s location.
“The frequent entry and exit of non-nationals at the border is a major factor,” she explains.
Bako called on local leaders to allocate more resources from locally raised revenue to combat the rising HIV numbers.
However, there’s a more intimate side to this crisis. Dona Aseru Abiniku, chairperson of the National Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS in Uganda (NACWOLA), spoke about the economic desperation pushing married women into sex work.
“Many of these women are trapped between societal expectations and the harsh realities of life. They need money to survive, and sex work becomes a last resort,” she says.
Abiniku advocates for open communication between couples, suggesting that counseling can be crucial in navigating life’s challenges.
“Counseling at every stage of life could help alleviate some of these pressures and prevent risky behaviors.”
Local authorities, together with development partners like the Infections Disease Institute (IDI) and Most at Risk Population Initiative (MAPI), are intensifying efforts to provide HIV testing and treatment.
Those who test positive are placed on ARVs, while HIV-negative workers are given pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent infection.
This grim reality is a stark reminder of the hidden socio-economic struggles in Uganda’s border districts.
The findings not only expose a public health issue but highlight a broader socio-economic crisis that urgently needs addressing.
Without targeted interventions, the cycle of desperation, sex work, and HIV will continue to trap more women in an endless struggle for survival.
