Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face the highest HIV risk of any group. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that engaging in transactional sex plays a significant role in increasing girls and young women’s vulnerability to HIV. Transactional sex relationships are non- commercial, non-marital sexual relationships motivated by the implicit assumption that sex is exchanged for material goods or other benefits.
Girls’ motivations for engaging in transactional sex are multiple, embedded in poverty, gender inequality, economic aspiration and romanticised gender roles.
While the research on this topic increases, so too does confusion on the meaning and measurement of this practice. This confusion holds implications for understanding trends in the practice over time and across contexts, as well as for how best to intervene.
STRIVE worked towards a better definition, conceptualization and measurement of transactional sex so that programmes aiming to reduce HIV risk and empower young women in sub-Saharan Africa are informed with by a clear definition of the practice and understanding of the multiple motivations for engaging in the practice.
As of 2015, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) include improved questions to capture the practice of transactional sex for women and men. Similar questions are now included in the Violence against Children surveys (VACS), evaluations of the Transfer project and other cash transfer studies in South Africa and Tanzania and numerous individual studies including at least one surveillance site.
STRIVE work has also informed the design of programmes for adolescent girls and young women, finding traction and application among researchers, bilateral funders, UN agencies such as UNAIDS and UNICEF, intervention designers and influential media platforms.