A Christmas message & review from ASWA

 

ASWA would like to wish one & all sex workers in Africa a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year along with a jam packed, short reminder of just some of the positive initiatives and projects delivered in 2020.

Firstly, we would like to wish everyone a joyful and safe end to 2020. It has been a year like no other but one in which we are sure we can all take some optimism from, whether that be personally or as a community. Those who have spoken, engaged and interacted with ASWA will agree, that ASWA has lots to be proud of in 2020. Whether it be the sub-granting our member organisations, capacity building, linking, referring and recommending our member organisations to donors, advocating for policy shifts e.g. In May 2020, ASWA  together with CREA made Submission to the CEDAW committee on the draft general recommendation on trafficking in women and girls in the context of global migration,campaigns of promoting a lively sex workers health and rights, projects creating a safer, more enabling legal and social environment, bringing the sex workers’ community and offer together or positively reacting to the numerous challenges 2020 has thrown at us,organizing 23rd and 24th Sex Workers Academy Africa, cushioning sex workers against the effects of  COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with food and safety kits, mental health support and violence mitigation, contracting sub-regional coordinators – ASWA is immensely proud of all we have achieved. Nonetheless, we recognise we can and will go further. Looking at all we have delivered, together, throughout a challenging number of months we are genuinely excited and enthusiastic to drive this positive change into 2021 and beyond.

Engagement in International/regional Policy and Programme Platforms e.g, ASWA Participated in the 2020 virtual International AIDS Conference and HIV 2020, continued promotion of sex work as work, enhancing ASWA perception, visibility and communication. Advocating for sex workers’ health to be more available and accessible, more collaboration and partnership are just some of the endeavours ASWA is committed to.

As we reflect on the past 12 months, we are grateful to our dear sex workers in Africa, our allies, donors, and all partners for their invaluable input and support.

The official closing date is 22nd December 2020 and Opening is 11th January 2021.

ASWA looks forward to continuing and reinforcing these relationships and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

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With much love and solidarity,

Best Wishes,

ASWA Team.