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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
The word jaboya is said to have been derived from the local Luo language. 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.
HIV
Both men and women who participate in the jaboya system are subject to increased risk of HIV transmission. There are several factors tied to the Jaboya system which increase the risk of HIV transmission:
Local economy
The local economy is based primarily on the fishing industry. For women the only way that they can guarantee themselves fish is to take up multiple partners on the beach. Those with several parnters are more likely to obtain fish. In the small community of Bondo Beach for example, fishing is virtually the only way to make a living.
Wife inheritance
It is common practice for women to be inherited by their late husbands family members, such as brothers. In most cases the women are widowed by men who were HIV positive. The wives will most likely be infected as well, passing the infection on not only to their new husbands, but any other wives the men may have.
Condom use
Condom use is practiced infrequently in the community. There have been measures to improve condom use in the community. MERLIN, a development organization hosts skits and plays on the beach in Bondo that bring forth the message of condom use, along with other positive behaviours that can help reduce the spread of HIV.
Prevention
Several development organizations have stepped up with programs and resources to help curb the dependence that local communities have on the Jaboya system.
MERLIN
U.S. Peace Corps
The U.S. Peace Corps directed their initiative at helping women specifically. A donation of six fishing boats was made so that the women could start fishing for themselves, instead of depending on the men. The program has created positive change in the women who are working together to save money to buy more boats for other women in the community.
References
- "KENYA: Deadly Catch: Lake Victoria's AIDS crisis". News Article. IRIN. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- Quaali. "KENYA: Helping women to end sex-for-fish culture". Somali Women Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- Okwiri, Caroline. "Jaboya system". Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=61001
- "Sex, fish and stigma in Kenyan beach communities". Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- "KENYA: Deadly Catch: Lake Victoria's AIDS crisis". IRIN News. 10 November 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- "KENYA: Deadly Catch: Lake Victoria's AIDS crisis". IRIN. 10 November 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- Okwiri, Caroline. "Jaboya System". Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- Qaali (3 January 2012). "KENYA: Helping women to end sex-for-fish culture". The voice of Somali women. Retrieved 28 January 2012.