Today, 3, March 2021, sex workers in Africa celebrate International Sex Workers Rights Day. The day started in 2001 when over 25,000 sex workers gathered in India for a sex worker festival. The organisers wanted to celebrate the lives of sex workers as well as highlight the community’s determination and strength .

The Sex Workers Academy Africa (SWAA) Programme, module two highlights the rights of sex workers. The module focuses on sex workers’ rights which are:

1. The right to associate and organise
2. The right to be protected by the law
3. The right to be free from violence
4. The right to be free from discrimination;
5. The right to privacy, and freedom from arbitrary interference
6. The right to health
7. The right to move and migrate
8. The right to work and free choice of employment

All sex workers are entitled to these fundamental rights.

ASWA observes International Sex Workers Rights Day by calling for the respect of the rights of the sex workers in Africa.