The intersection of caregiving and financial vulnerability: Empowerment barriers for women in sex work

Abstract

This study explores the factors that shape the savings behaviors of women engaged in sex work (WESW) in southwestern Uganda, with a particular focus on the intersection of caregiving responsibilities and economic vulnerability. Drawing on qualitative data from the Kyaterekera study—an intervention that combined economic empowerment strategies (savings, financial literacy, and mentorship) with HIV risk reduction—we examine how WESW navigate financial decision-making in the context of structural and social constraints. While participants demonstrated motivation and resilience in pursuing financial stability, they encountered significant and intersecting barriers, including fluctuating income, caregiving demands, gendered norms, and the absence of formal social support systems. Findings reveal that caregiving is not merely a personal role but a structurally marginalized identity that shapes economic behavior in profound ways as these caregiving responsibilities intersect with factors such as marital status, household composition, and urban–rural location to produce differentiated financial challenges. Despite these constraints, participants engaged in strategic saving to meet essential needs, respond to emergencies, and invest in long-term goals such as homeownership and their children’s education. These insights underscore the importance of adopting an intersectional approach to economic empowerment—one that accounts for the diverse and overlapping realities of WESW. Tailored interventions that integrate financial literacy, peer mentoring, and potentially self-help groups can more effectively address both individual and structural barriers. By centering caregiving within economic empowerment strategies, programs can better support the long-term financial autonomy and well-being of WESW and their families.