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The jaboya system is an economic system common in the fishing towns of Kenya, on Lake Victoria. It is a system where the fishermen in the region form relationships (commonly sexual) with women in the communities who wish to purchase the fish to take to the market to sell. It is not uncommon for both the fishermen and the women to have multiple partners. As a result of the vast web of these relationships, the Jaboya system is said to account for the rampant increase in the HIV prevalence in the region. It has also caused the mortality rate in the region to increase.
Etymology
Originally the word jaboya meant, 'customer' but took on a different meaning as the system flourished. It is believed that this was due to the decrease of fish stocks in the area. This lead to more and more women having to use different means in order to be able to purchase fish from the fishermen. The term eventually took on a sexual connontation as more women were having to obtain partners in order to secure having a fishermen to purchase fish from. The word jaboya is said to have been derived from the local Luo language.
HIV
Both men and women who participate in the jaboya system are subject to increased risk of HIV transmission. This is due to several factors:
1. Local economy: The local economy is based primarily on the fishing industry. The men typically catch the fish, while the women purchase the fish from the fishermen. In the small community of Bondo Beach for example, fishing is virtually the only way to make a living.
References
- "KENYA: Deadly Catch: Lake Victoria's AIDS crisis". News Article. IRIN. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- Okwiri, Caroline. "Jaboya system". Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- Quaali. "KENYA: Helping women to end sex-for-fish culture". Somali Women Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/Case-Studies/2006/Sex-fish-and-stigma-in-Kenyan-beach-communities/