Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: Ukraine has the highest rates of HIV in Europe, and women involved in sex work face even greater risks-three times higher than the national average. They are also more vulnerable to other infections due to factors like stigma, gender inequality, and the criminalization of their work. Political conflict in Ukraine has further worsened these challenges, creating a more unstable and unsafe environment. This study aims to understand how women doing sex work in Dnipro, Ukraine, have managed to protect their health and safety during a protracted conflict. Methods: The study analyzed interviews and diary entries from 43 women who do sex work in Ukraine. These were collected in 2018, translated, and carefully studied to identify recurring themes and patterns. The research used a feminist approach that focuses on how economic and gender inequalities affect health and safety, especially in work environments that are informal or criminalized. Results: The women shared various strategies they use to stay safe in a risky and unstable environment. Three major themes emerged: 1.Adapting to Risks: Women constantly evaluated threats and adjusted their behavior to stay safe, such as avoiding certain areas. 2.Emotional Effort with Clients: Women described the emotional work of managing clients, like reading their moods and behavior to prevent conflicts or unsafe situations. 3.Using Security Measures: Some relied on tools like having security guards nearby or keeping emergency plans in place. Conclusion: This research shows the extra work women must do to stay safe in a job that is outside the formal economy and stigmatized. Their strategies highlight important considerations for how to structurally support safety-making for sex workers in Ukraine and other contexts globally.