Sex work in Cotonou: Critical vulnerability of young women in the face of poverty

This article analyzes the vulnerability of unemployed young women to sex work (SW) in the city of Cotonou, Benin. The data used comes from a survey of 355 SW, 96 of whom were registered and 259 of whom were operating clandestinely. The methodological approach is based on multiple correspondence analysis, which allows for the identification of the main socio-economic profiles of the women concerned. The results highlight two distinct groups: (i) educated and single young women, with a median age of 26, who have a high level of education (95%) and are relatively autonomous in their decision-making, but face a lack of stable employment opportunities, leading them to SW as a means of subsistence; and (ii) younger women, with a median age of 23, who have low levels of education, 68% of whom live below the poverty line and 94% of whom have multiple family responsibilities. This second group illustrates heightened vulnerability, marked by economic and social insecurity. The study reveals that sex work, far from being a homogeneous phenomenon, reflects differentiated dynamics depending on the socioeconomic profiles of women. It underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, including the implementation of appropriate education and vocational training programs, increased awareness of sex work rights, and improved access to healthcare. Furthermore, specific economic support for sex workers with dependent children, as well as the development of government and non-profit partnerships, appear essential to reducing their vulnerability and promoting their socioeconomic inclusion.