Today, December 17, 2021, marks the annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
The theme of this day is Report it! Report it here! Report violence here https://bit.ly/3m8NNKQ
ASWA marks this day by highlighting what is the sex workers murder monitoring tool.
Sex workers in Africa have used this day to highlight the need for action to end violence against sex workers. The issues faced by sex workers often vary from region to region, due to different laws, social and cultural contexts, but one common issue faced by all sex workers is their vulnerability to and experience of violence.
Sex workers in Africa are vulnerable to violence because of the criminalisation and legal oppression of sex work, compounded by stigma and discrimination. This vulnerability to violence is increased for sex workers living with HIV, sex workers who use drugs, transgender sex workers, migrant sex workers, and sex workers that are part of other marginalised groups.
2021 has seen continued infringements on sex workers’ rights in Africa, leading to greater incidence of violence.COVID-19 has worsened and increased violence against sex workers in Africa.
ASWA demands the following actions be taken to ensure the rights of sex workers are respected:
- An end to the criminalisation and legal oppression of sex workers, clients, and third parties
- Equal protection from law enforcement and the criminal justice systems;
- An end to condoms being used as evidence of sex work;
- Equal access to rights-based health and social services for sex workers, including sexual and reproductive health.
Report it! Report it here! Report violence here https://bit.ly/3m8NNKQ
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