Rwanda (2005): Making the Transition from Good Girl to Good Wife: Young Women and Sex-workers' Narratives on Social Life, Sexuality, and Risk: Byumba, Rwanda

This report presents the findings of a qualitative study carried out among young people and commercial sex-workers in the rural province of Byumba, Rwanda. The study was conducted between January and March 2005 using the PEER (participatory ethnographic evaluation and research) method. PEER is an innovative approach to programme research, evaluation, and design. The method is based upon training members of the target group (peer researchers) to carry out in-depth qualitative interviews among their peers. Data for this study were collected over a five-week period, during which time peer researchers received regular supervision from PSI staff. Sixteen peer researchers were selected through the Byumba sex-worker association, and sixteen young people in the age range 15-24 years were recruited through the Byumba youth association. Sex-workers and youth were trained separately.