Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Problematizing sex work : a discourse analysis of the policies of NGOs working with female sex workers in Mumbai

Laurinmäki, Paula LU (2020) MIDM19 20201
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
The thesis analyzes how two NGOs working with female sex workers in India, Purnata and National Network for Sex workers, define and construct the problems they are trying to solve by using Carol Bacchi’s ‘What’s the problem represented to be?’ approach on discourse analysis. By analyzing written material from both of the NGOs, posts from their Facebook pages, and an interview with an employee from Purnata, the thesis examines the mechanisms of governmentality that are at work in the policies of both NGOs. Adopting Foucault’s concept of governmentality, the thesis argues that Purnata and NNSW have different ways of representing problems and as a result, they represent different ways of governing. Purnata’s problematizations suggest that sex... (More)
The thesis analyzes how two NGOs working with female sex workers in India, Purnata and National Network for Sex workers, define and construct the problems they are trying to solve by using Carol Bacchi’s ‘What’s the problem represented to be?’ approach on discourse analysis. By analyzing written material from both of the NGOs, posts from their Facebook pages, and an interview with an employee from Purnata, the thesis examines the mechanisms of governmentality that are at work in the policies of both NGOs. Adopting Foucault’s concept of governmentality, the thesis argues that Purnata and NNSW have different ways of representing problems and as a result, they represent different ways of governing. Purnata’s problematizations suggest that sex work is inherently dangerous and not respectful, and that anyone who is well informed and given a free choice, would not choose to do it voluntarily. This problematization is inherent to the governmentality of the current neoliberal era, in which individuals are made responsible for their own development through educating their desires and configuring their habits and beliefs. On the contrary, NNSW argues that it is the stigma and discrimination from society that is creating the circumstances for why sex work can be dangerous. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Laurinmäki, Paula LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20201
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Governmentality, NGO, Sex work, Discourse, Mumbai, India
language
English
id
9008885
date added to LUP
2020-06-12 16:58:35
date last changed
2020-06-12 16:58:35
@misc{9008885,
  abstract     = {{The thesis analyzes how two NGOs working with female sex workers in India, Purnata and National Network for Sex workers, define and construct the problems they are trying to solve by using Carol Bacchi’s ‘What’s the problem represented to be?’ approach on discourse analysis. By analyzing written material from both of the NGOs, posts from their Facebook pages, and an interview with an employee from Purnata, the thesis examines the mechanisms of governmentality that are at work in the policies of both NGOs. Adopting Foucault’s concept of governmentality, the thesis argues that Purnata and NNSW have different ways of representing problems and as a result, they represent different ways of governing. Purnata’s problematizations suggest that sex work is inherently dangerous and not respectful, and that anyone who is well informed and given a free choice, would not choose to do it voluntarily. This problematization is inherent to the governmentality of the current neoliberal era, in which individuals are made responsible for their own development through educating their desires and configuring their habits and beliefs. On the contrary, NNSW argues that it is the stigma and discrimination from society that is creating the circumstances for why sex work can be dangerous.}},
  author       = {{Laurinmäki, Paula}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Problematizing sex work : a discourse analysis of the policies of NGOs working with female sex workers in Mumbai}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}