Peer-reviewed article
Multidimensional Vulnerabilities of Children of Female Sex Workers: A Scoping Review.
Mukeshimana M, de Dieu Nkurikiyimfura J, Nyirazinyoye L, Sezibera V, Thompson LM ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This scoping review examined research on children of female sex workers, who face multiple interconnected challenges. Children in this situation experience stigma and bullying, struggle to access education, and lack basic necessities like stable housing and food. The review found that most research describes these problems but few studies test solutions or follow children over time. The authors call for integrated interventions that address health, education, legal protection, and social support while reducing stigma.
Key points
- Children of female sex workers experience stigma, bullying, behavioral problems, and intergenerational trauma
- Educational barriers include discrimination, poverty, mobility, and lack of documentation affecting enrollment and attainment
- Structural vulnerabilities include food insecurity, unstable housing, low HIV testing rates, and preventable mortality
- Most research originates from a few regions and primarily describes problems rather than testing solutions
- Very few long-term or intervention-focused studies exist on this population
Limitations
The review does not specify which countries or regions the 15 included studies covered, limiting understanding of geographic gaps. The scoping review maps evidence but does not evaluate the quality of studies or the effectiveness of any particular interventions.
Abstract
Children of female sex workers (FSWs) face multidimensional vulnerabilities that remain underexplored. This scoping review mapped evidence on health, psychosocial, educational, and structural vulnerabilities among children of FSWs, identified gaps, and highlighted policy implications. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings were clustered into three domains. Psychosocial: children experienced stigma, bullying, behavioral problems, and intergenerational trauma. Educational: barriers to enrollment, retention, and attainment arose from discrimination, poverty, mobility, and lack of documentation. Structural/health: children faced food insecurity, unstable housing, low HIV testing, preventable mortality, and limited legal protection. Most existing research originates from a few regions, employs different designs, and primarily describes problems rather than testing solutions. Very few long-term studies or intervention-focused studies exist. Addressing the needs requires integrated, stigma-free, rights-based interventions linking maternal-child health, education, social protection, and legal safeguards.