Summary was created by
Sex Workers, Stigma and Self-Image: Evidence from Kolkata Brothels
- For policymakers
- Summary created: 2021
Self-worth training can support marginalised people to escape pschological aspects of the poverty trap, and needs to be considered alongside material aspects when designing programmes to alleviate poverty.
This summary, including its recommendations and ideas, was created by Dr Sanchari Roy and is based on original research. The original research itself was conducted in collaboration with the following researchers.
This research study shows how empowering discriminated groups can help them overcome the poverty trap. Considerable research has looked at the material aspects of poverty (which includes access to banks, healthcare etc), but alongside this there is also a psychological poverty trap, which is internalised as an outcome of material poverty, of belonging to a lower caste and social exclusion. A strategy needs to incorporate both aspects to alleviate the poverty trap.
This study compared a group of sex workers from 98 brothels who went through self-image building CBT training with a control group. At the beginning both groups had rock-bottom levels of self-worth and had internalised that they did not deserve dignity. However, for the group who went to the two-months workshops, aimed at building self-worth and reframing their role as ‘entertainment workers’ amongst other things, significant changes were observed.
Insights
Many of the training group started making choices that benefitted their future.
This was measured by them being significantly more likely to choose a fixed deposit (with higher returns in the long-term) than cash (more likely chosen by control group). Additionally, those who underwent training were more likely (by 10%) to visit a clinic for an additional preventive checkup, than those who didn't do training. These indicators show higher levels of empowerment amongst those who took the self-worth training - and upto 21 months later, it was observed that retention was high. Those who did training had a higher savings account balances 15 months later than those who did not.
The hypothesis of this research was that if these mental constraints are relaxed, then behaviour and life choices may be changes.
Mental constraints can be relaxed by exposure to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that’s strongly focused on building self-image and self-worth. And this was proven true.
What it means
This research looks at sex workers in Kolkata, as these are members of a very marginalised social group. Due to local perceptions that they’re doing immoral and ‘dirty work’, psychological constraints are very high amongst this community. These ideas aggravate poverty, and the marginalisation minimises material access. Most workers are also women, and so on top of the marginalisation they also experience levels of gender discrimination.
This research provides relevant insights for sex workers in any country. The findings can also be applied to any marginalised group in the developing world. These groups may be marginalised due to low caste, gender, race etc.
Suggested next steps
When creating new and innovative poverty alleviation programmes, states should consider psychological self-worth training in tandem to traditional and material poverty alleviation strategies, such as skilling and cash transfers
Training workshops are a powerful tool to empower marginalised groups
Health clinics can use this strategy as a way to encourage at-risk sex workers to increase their visits
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