The Right(s) Evidence: Sex Work, Violence, and HIV in Asia

123 peer-to-peer in-depth qualitative interviews with female, male and transgender sex workers and key informants was carried out in Indonesia (Jakarta), Myanmar (Yangon), Nepal (Kathmandu) and Sri Lanka (Colombo). “The research provides sound evidence that the violence that sex workers experience denies them their fundamental human rights and contributes to the spread of HIV,” said Meena Saraswathi Seshu, from Centre for Advocacy on Stigma and Marginalisation, one of the co-authors of the report.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download the-Right(s)-evidence-sex-work-violence-and-HIV-in-Asia.pdf (4.25 MB)

The Real Impact of the Swedish Model: Advocacy Toolkit

NSWP hopes that this advocacy toolkit will highlight the harms associated with this approach of criminalisation, both in relation to the simplistic and crude understandings of sex work and of sex workers that are used to justify the law, and in relation to the direct outcomes of the resulting legal framework of criminalising the purchase of sex. In contrast to claims that the Swedish model is a necessary and effective approach in protecting women from violence and exploitation, sex workers in Sweden note worrying consequences of the law in terms of their safety and wellbeing.

The advocacy toolkit will be an evolving set of documents. They will serve to continue to raise awareness of the outcomes of the law through the ongoing publishing of evidence-based fact sheets and advocacy tools, tools that will provide resources to sex workers, allies and researchers around the world to challenge widespread promotion of this detrimental legal and political approach to the regulation of sex work.

Year of publication:

2015

Global Action with Local Impact: Why Advocacy Matters

The report details strategies used and outcomes achieved by five constituency-led global network organizations focused on key populations, providing numerous case study examples illustrating the concrete impact of advocacy at the global level.

The report focuses on global-level work conducted as part of the Bridging the Gaps program, an international multi-agency effort devoted to achieving universal access to HIV services and ensuring full human rights for key populations. Supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program is a collaboration between five Dutch-based organizations, five global key population networks, and 80 grassroots organizations across 16 countries.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download why-advocacy-matters-global-action-with-local-impact-2011-2014.pdf (1.46 MB)

Difficult Decisions: A Tool for Care Workers

Difficulot Decisions: A Tool for Care Workers

An international working group has filled a global programming gap with the release of a tested and validated ethical decision-making tool for use in community-based HIV organizations. The tool, called ‘Difficult Decisions’, is the result of a rigorous three-year process, and is designed for an employee or peer support worker to use when faced with an ethical dilemma. But it was designed—in consultation with leading ethicists—by populations uniquely affected by HIV: people who use drugs, sex workers, transgender people and gay men or other men who have sex with men. And, notably, it includes reference to dilemmas involving their children.

The toolkit is also available in French, Russian, and Spanish.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download difficult-decisions-promotion-and-dissemination-toolkit-english.pdf (762.59 KB)

Trans Sex Work: Briefing Paper 09

The Trans Sex Work briefing paper focuses on the issues and needs identified by trans sex workers (TSW) as disclosed in NSWP forums including an online questionnaire and face-to-face focus groups. The issue of intersectionality is brought into focus with the aim of giving context to the community of TSW before looking at the needs and rights of trans sex workers. Legal situations are then discussed, noting how legislative systems can have an impact on the lives and work of TSW worldwide. Discussion then moves to look at the issues and needs of TSW, beginning with a discussion on violence before looking at how discrimination impacts access to education and employment, housing, justice, and appropriate health care services. The paper concludes by drawing attention to the need to support the advocacy and activism of TSW groups around the world in challenging the needs identified and offering recommendations for those who design and implement policy and programmes, and those who represent and work directly with TSW. The paper also includes examples of NSWP member groups’ efforts to mobilise communities of TSW to advocate for trans sex worker rights, showing activism that is being carried out by the community.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download briefing-paper-09-needs-and-rights-of-trans-sex-workers.pdf (873.91 KB)

Male Sex Work: Briefing Paper 08

The Male Sex Work briefing paper focuses on the main issues faced by male sex workers (MSW) globally and highlights some of the advocacy and activism efforts by male sex worker communities that have challenged these issues. The paper is intended for those who make policy, design and implement programmes, and work directly with MSW in the hope of increasing awareness and understanding of the multiple realities and needs of this community. This paper is also intended as an advocacy tool for NSWP member groups to utilise in their attempts to raise awareness across the world of the needs of MSW and advocate for their rights from the grassroots community level to global forums for change.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download briefing-paper-08-needs-and-rights-of-male-sex-workers.pdf (633.49 KB)

MSMIT: A Comprehensive Guide for Implementing Sexual Health Interventions with Men Who Have Sex with Men

‘MSMIT: A Comprehensive Guide … ‘ is a new and critical tool for implementing comprehensive sexual health services with men who have sex with men has been developed by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and MSMGF (The Global Forum on MSM & HIV), together with UNDP, WHO, USAID, PEPFAR, and BMGF with contributions from over 100 experts from around the world.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download MSMIT-implementing-comprehensive-HIV-and-STI-programmes-with-MSM-practical-guidance-for-collaborative-interventions.pdf (6.48 MB)

ITPC’s Advocacy for Community Treatment (ACT) Toolkit

The Advocacy for Community Treatment (ACT) Toolkit facilitates community activists to become effective advocates for HIV treatment access. It includes a special focus on supporting key populations and ensuring everyone’s right to health is respected. Topics covered in the participatory Toolkit include: the science of HIV, the relationship between human rights and treatment, how trade impacts the availability of medicines, financing for health, and community advocacy planning.

The ACT Toolkit is now available in French, Russian, and Spanish.

Year of publication:

2014

Media:

Download Advocacy-for-Community-Treatment-ACT-Toolkit-July-2014.pdf (4.03 MB)