Hermanas unidas: An exploration of the role of community organizing in the lives of female sex workers in Tijuana

Purpose: This project explores how power disparities and social inequalities affect the lives and sexual choices of female sex workers (FSWs) in Tijuana. The role of community-based organizations in the empowerment of FSWs and the organizations' impact on sexual negotiation at geographical and cultural borders and safer sex practices with both clients and non-client sexual relationships is examined. Methods: As part of the formative phase of a two-part project, four key informant interviews were conducted with leaders of the organization and four focus groups were conducted with both organized and non-organized FSWs. The data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results: Results from the formative phase of this research project suggest that community initiated organizations that focus on empowerment through sisterhood, education, and self-improvement provide FSWs with more power to promote their health and well-being by having increased capacity and self-efficacy to negotiate safer-sex practices and stand-up for themselves in violent, coercive, and other dangerous situations. Discussion: Results will be used to direct the main phase of the study in which semi-structured interviews will be conducted with organized and non-organized FSWs. The study will continue to examine the differences between these two groups in terms of empowerment, and self-efficacy for negotiating and engaging in safer-sex practices. The ultimate goal of this project is to disseminate the findings and continue collaborating with the community to develop and promote sustainable prevention efforts that focus on self-identified needs and social vulnerabilities while capitalizing on their strengths.