Sex for Money: South Africa's Hidden Harm on Young Women

Understanding the "Blesser" Phenomenon in South Africa

In South Africa, a "blesser" is typically an older, wealthier man who provides a younger woman with financial support, gifts, or access to a better lifestyle in exchange for a relationship that includes sexual activity. These relationships, often referred to as "sugar-daddy" arrangements, are deeply embedded in the country's socio-economic fabric. Unlike similar practices in other regions, the South African version is closely tied to extreme inequality, high youth unemployment, and a culture where visible consumption holds significant social value. As a result, the term "blesser" has become mainstream and even aspirational among some young women, particularly in urban areas.

South Africa ranks as the most unequal country in the world, characterized by high unemployment rates and widespread poverty, especially among young people aged 15-24. For many of these individuals, securing a blesser represents an opportunity to access a higher social status, often through tangible benefits like smartphones, clothing, and money. On the surface, transactional relationships may seem like a shortcut to independence or prestige. However, emerging evidence highlights the severe consequences associated with these arrangements.

As a researcher in health economics, social medicine, psychology, and mental health, I have studied transactional sexual relationships in South Africa for several years. In a recent study, my colleagues and I conducted the first national analysis of how relationships with blessers impact the sexual health outcomes of adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. Our findings reveal that these relationships expose young women to interrelated risks, including HIV infection, early pregnancy, and gender-based violence. These risks are exacerbated by the existing context of inequality and limited agency.

The patterns observed in our research mirror other data showing that adolescent girls and young women in South Africa are twice as likely to be living with HIV as their male peers. Over the years, research has shown that the drivers of this gap include biological vulnerability, gender-power imbalances, economic dependence, and age-disparate sexual partnerships.

Previous studies have explored why young women enter into relationships with blessers or examined the associated risks in specific provinces. However, what has been lacking is national-level data that can quantify the scale of the problem and compare different relationship types. Our findings paint a consistent picture: while blesser relationships may offer short-term rewards, the long-term consequences for health and wellbeing are severe.

Transactional Relationships and Their Implications

Transactional relationships encompass any partnership in which sex is exchanged, either implicitly or explicitly, for material support. This support can range from meeting basic needs like food and transport to enabling more desirable extras such as designer clothing or nights out. Blesser partnerships fall within this category.

In our latest study, we drew data from over 3,000 sexually active adolescent girls and young women across eight of South Africa’s nine provinces, including both rural and urban environments. We found that almost 6% of participants had had or were currently in a relationship with a blesser. Over 25% of the total had had or were in a relationship with an age-disparate partner (a partner five or more years older).

While the incidence of having a blesser (5.7%) may appear low, it represents thousands of young women across the country involved in high-risk relationships at any given time. Our research revealed that those engaged in both blesser and age-disparate relationships faced higher risks of HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections, intimate partner violence, and adolescent pregnancy than their peers not involved in such partnerships.

Although same-age blesser relationships (which were less prevalent) appeared somewhat less risky and were associated with higher reported condom use, age disparity emerged as a key driver of adverse outcomes, particularly pregnancy.

Pathways to Risk

Our studies show that the dangers of blesser relationships arise through several interconnected pathways:

• Age and power imbalance: Older partners often dominate decision-making. As one participant explained, "When he says no condom, I can't say no to him."
• Reduced condom negotiation: Financial or material dependence makes it difficult for young women to insist on safe sex.
• Concurrency of partners: Blessers frequently have multiple sexual partners, increasing the likelihood of HIV transmission.
• Economic dependence: Reliance on a blesser can trap young women in relationships even when they feel unsafe or unhappy. "I wanted to leave, but then who would pay my fees?" said one young woman.
• Social status pressures: Being seen with a blesser can carry prestige, encouraging peers to enter similar relationships without fully understanding the risks.

These pathways reveal why relationships with a blesser are shaped by unequal structures of power, gender, and economics that leave young women with limited room for manoeuvre.

The Bigger Picture

In 2024, we published a qualitative article that explored the push and pull of these relationships. This work added depth to our quantitative results. Some young women described relationships with blessers as empowering, offering access to resources and social visibility. But this empowerment was fragile.

Power imbalances meant that choices about sex, protection, and fidelity often rested with the older partner, not the young woman. Study respondents spoke of initial excitement and aspiration: "At first, I felt like I had made it - nice clothes, nice places." But over time, disillusion set in: "Eventually I realised it wasn't really me who was in control." Another young woman summed it up starkly: "A blesser gives with one hand and takes with the other."

Transactional relationships are not just matters of individual choice. They are rooted in widespread poverty, unemployment, and entrenched gender norms. For many young women, having a blesser may feel like the only path to financial security, education, or social status.

But the risks are profound.

HIV Prevalence and Other Consequences

The HIV prevalence among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years in South Africa is 6.9%, compared to 3.5% among males of the same age. Unintended pregnancies disrupt education. In 2023, 12.1% of all births were to girls aged 10-19, and more than three-quarters were unplanned. Violence undermines health, dignity, and long-term opportunities.

What Can Be Done?

Our research suggests several urgent priorities:

• Young people need clear information about sexual health, power dynamics, and rights.
• Economic opportunities reduce dependence on blessers.
• Safe spaces, mentoring, and counselling help young women navigate relationships and build resilience.
• Challenge harmful norms. Engaging men, families, and communities to shift these norms is as important as supporting young women.

The real challenge lies in creating alternatives: secure livelihoods, equitable partnerships, and supportive communities.

The blesser phenomenon is not a moral failing. No young woman should be forced to choose between short-term security and long-term wellbeing.