Description
Book SynopsisExploring gendered agency under neoliberalism by contextualising and historicising contemporary debates on sex work, Eglė Česnulytė features primary accounts from women selling sex in Kenya, arguing that their role in our understanding of gender and agency in today's neoliberal structures is crucial.
Trade Review'An outstanding contribution to the understanding of sex work in Kenya in the context of neoliberalism. Egle Cesnulyte explores with immense analytical heft, and on the basis of extensive ethnography, how sex work can be a way for women to accumulate capital and to sustain livelihood strategies as part of reproductive labour. A must read.' Ray Bush, University of Leeds
'This excellent analysis of how female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya, experience and challenge socio-economic realities provides critical insight into their lives; how they exercise agency in 'tight corners'; and the gendered impact of neo-liberal practice and discourse. A must read for anyone interested in gender, everyday political economy or neoliberalism.' Gabrielle Lynch, University of Warwick
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Neo-liberal transformations and gender in Kenya; 3. Gendered livelihoods and 'bargaining with patriarchy'; 4. Selling sex in Mombasa; 5. Dreams and strategies of women selling sex; 6. A vicious circle: work-related dangers and obstacles for exiting sex work; 7. Connecting global and local: Kenyan state, NGOs and the sex worker movement; 8. Conclusions: gendered limits of agency in a neo-liberal world.
