Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed displaced Ukrainians through federal resettlement initiatives. Faced with challenges in securing employment and housing, some Ukrainian displaced women have engaged in sex work, either voluntarily or as a means of survival. This qualitative study utilizes a critical interpretive phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of five Ukrainian displaced women who engaged in sex work in Canada. This study was guided by two theoretical frameworks, social identity theory and critical feminist theory, which informed both the interview approach and the interpretation of participants’ narratives. The following themes were identified: (1) entry into sex work; (2) navigating power, autonomy, and risks in sex work; and (3) coping, resilience, and support needs. This study highlights how intersecting vulnerabilities foster an environment of precarity for Ukrainian displaced women and offers user-informed insight into improving accessibility of healthcare services, community resources, and federal policies to support a safe, long-term integration of this population in Canada and globally.
Metersky et al. (Sun,) studied this question.