Negotiating Respectability: Migrant Women Workers’ Perceptions of Relationships and Sexuality in Free Trade Zones in Sri Lanka

Jordal, Malin; Wijewardena, Kumudu; Öhman, Ann; Essén, Birgitta; Olsson, Pia

doi:10.1080/07399332.2013.862799

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…They are easily infected and transmit the disease to the spouse and others [4]. Female domestic migrant workers are at risks of STD, unwanted pregnancy, illegal termination of pregnancy and related problems [5] Female migration workers play an important role in HIV spread [6] Irregular migrant workers do not have access to HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns on the electronic, print and other mass media. Even the message provided by television/radio advertisements did not make an impact as, in the popular perception.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV/AIDS among Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Najimudeen¹,

Myint²,

Win³

et al. 2020

SIJOG

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Female migrant workers are susceptible for economic exploitation, physical violence and sexual abuse. They are at risks of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, illegal termination of pregnancy and related problems. They also spread the diseases knowingly and unknowingly. There are about five millions registered and undocumented migration workers are in Malaysia. The Malaysian government is committed to stop the illegal trafficking of women and under aged girls. The health education programme and screening procedures are important to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV/AIDS among Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Najimudeen¹,

Myint²,

Win³

et al. 2020

SIJOG

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“…Three of the female participants admitted that they engaged in transactional sex. Many recent studies have demonstrated that women's motivations for engaging in transactional sex are aligned to globalisation, in that the proceeds from transactional sexual encounters are used to purchase the symbols of global beauty propagated by the local and global print and visual media (Camlin et al 2010, Greif & Dodoo 2011; Hirsch 2014; Hunter 2010; Jordal, Wijewardena, Öhman, Essen & Olsson 2014; Roy et al 2010; Stoebenau, Stephanie, Rubincam, Willan, Zembe, Tsikoane, et al 2011; Weine & Kashuba 2012; Zembe, Townsend, Thorson & Ekstrom 2013). These women have come to be known as ‘global citizens in local states’ (Robins 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interplay between economic empowerment and sexual behaviour and practices of migrant workers within the context of HIV and AIDS in the Lesotho textile industry

Tanga

Tangwe

2014

SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS

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Economic empowerment brings with it a wide range of consequences, both positive and negative. The objective of this paper was to examine the relationship between economic empowerment and the sexual behaviour and practices of migrant workers within the context of HIV and AIDS in the Lesotho textile industry. Data for this paper were extracted from the findings of a larger study which had been conducted concerning HIV and AIDS in the textile industry in Lesotho. Using in-depth interviews, data were collected from 40 participants who were purposively selected from five factories which had been chosen randomly. Empowerment theory was used as a lens to provide meanings for the experiences of the participants. The findings show that the participants were empowered only in certain respects in terms of Kabeer's empowerment model of ‘power to’ and ‘power within’, on one hand, and in terms of Malhotra's comprehensive empowerment framework at the household level, on the other, as being employed in the industry enabled them to participate in the economy. Employment in the sector provided the participants with the means to be able to acquire basic needs and the ability to participate in household decision-making: for the female participants, the ability to make independent sexual decisions was also enhanced. These improvements were greeted enthusiastically, particularly by the female participants, given their previously disadvantaged status as a result of coming from rural patriarchal villages with gender-defined hegemonic notions of respectability. The findings also indicate that environmental factors and others, such as meagre salaries, encouraged some of the female workers to engage in transactional sex, while some of the male participants tended to increase their sexual relationships as a result of acquiring employment and income from the industry. It is the contention of the authors of this study that true empowerment requires both vital resources and individual and collective participation, particularly for the women, who are more vulnerable than men. Finally, we conclude that the opportunities provided by economic empowerment have given the participants a new social meaning for their situation and an awareness about their place in power relations.

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“…The authors were acquainted with the area from previous work done with migrant women workers in the FTZ [21]. Purposive sampling was chosen to achieve a variety of perceptions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, contextualized knowledge of men’s understandings of masculinities and femininities is imperative for the development of theory, policies and interventions towards improved SRHR of women and men. While previous studies of Sri Lankan FTZ have investigated migrant women workers’ relationships, sexuality and SRHR risks [10,14,21], to our knowledge, there has been no investigation of men’s perceptions of these issues in this context.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Disrespectful men, disrespectable women’: Men’s perceptions on heterosexual relationships and premarital sex in a Sri Lankan Free Trade Zone - a qualitative interview study

Jordal¹,

Wijewardena

Öhman

et al. 2015

BMC Int Health Hum Rights

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BackgroundGender norms have been challenged by unmarried rural women’s migration for employment to urban Sri Lankan Free Trade Zones (FTZ). Men are described as looking for sexual experiences among the women workers, who are then accused of engaging in premarital sex, something seen as taboo in this context. Increased sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) risks for women workers are reported. To improve SRHR it is important to understand the existing gender ideals that shape these behaviours. This qualitative study explores men’s perspectives on gender relations in an urban Sri Lankan FTZ, with a focus on heterosexual relationships and premarital sex. Further, possible implications for SRHR of women workers in FTZs are discussed.MethodsEighteen qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with men living or working in an urban Sri Lankan FTZ and were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsTwo conflicting constructions of masculinity; the ‘disrespectful womaniser’ and the ‘respectful partner’, were discerned. The ‘disrespectful womaniser’ was perceived to be predominant and was considered immoral while the ‘respectful partner’ was considered to be less prevalent, but was seen as morally upright. The migrant women workers’ moral values upon arrival to the FTZ were perceived to deteriorate with time spent in the FTZ. Heterosexual relationships and premarital sex were seen as common, however, ideals of female respectability and secrecy around premarital sex were perceived to jeopardize contraceptive use and thus counteract SRHR.ConclusionThe ‘disrespectful’ masculinity revealed in the FTZ is reflective of the patriarchal Sri Lankan society that enables men’s entitlement and sexual domination over women. Deterioration of men’s economic power and increase of women’s economic and social independence may also be important aspects contributing to men’s antagonistic attitudes towards women. The promotion of negative attitudes towards women is normalized through masculine peer pressure. This and ambivalence towards women’s premarital sex are undermining the SRHR and well-being of women, but also men, in the FTZ. Awareness and counteraction of destructive gender power relations are essential for the improvement of the SRHR of women and men in the FTZ and the surrounding society.

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Negotiating Respectability: Migrant Women Workers’ Perceptions of Relationships and Sexuality in Free Trade Zones in Sri Lanka

Cited by 12 publications

References 21 publications

HIV/AIDS among Migrant Workers in Malaysia

HIV/AIDS among Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Interplay between economic empowerment and sexual behaviour and practices of migrant workers within the context of HIV and AIDS in the Lesotho textile industry

‘Disrespectful men, disrespectable women’: Men’s perceptions on heterosexual relationships and premarital sex in a Sri Lankan Free Trade Zone - a qualitative interview study

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