Sisonke National Movement’s Post

🌻 How should #funders support sex worker movements? 📌 In April 2024, the Sex Work Donor Collaborative (SWDC), Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), Red Umbrella Fund, and the Sex Workers Rights Advocacy Network in Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia (SWAN) collaborated in a session at HRFN's Funding Futures Festival that underscores the critical role of global funders in supporting sex worker rights movements. 👉 Check out the article published by Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) to gain more insights into the current context of the funding landscape to invest in sex worker rights! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gnWKw3fV — Women's Fund Asia is a member of the Sex Work Donor Collaborative — Image Description: The image showcases a text-based graphic design set against a tranquil sky-blue background with clouds floating, featuring an illustration of a red umbrella on the right. The main text reads: "Sex workers should be a top funding priority for any funder committed to supporting frontline communities fighting for human rights." The WFA logo is on the left, and the text "How should funders support sex worker movements? - A blog by SWDC members" is on the right. At the bottom, you can find WFA's official social media handles, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. #FundSexWorkersRights #SexWorkIsWork #FeministFunding #FeministMovement

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐋.𝐁. ⚖ | 𝐒𝐞𝐱 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 = 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤  A few weeks ago I submitted my Applied Research Project (thesis), and last week, I completed my Professional Performance as part of my bachelor International & European Law.  My ARP (9.2) and professional performance (10) resulting in an overall assessment of 9.3, which means I officially graduated!  ----------------------------------------------------- Halfway through March, I moved to Singapore to intern for Project X Singapore. Project X is a non-profit organisation in Singapore that provides emotional, health, and social services to people in the sex industry. Their core activities are conducting sexual health outreach, supporting sex workers looking to exit the industry, casework (emotional and legal support) for sex workers in distress, public education, and research. Globally, sex workers encounter widespread discrimination, stigmatisation and violations of their human rights(A/HRC/WG.11/39/1). This research was written with a Comparative Criminal and International Human Rights law analysis of the criminalised sex work industry in Singapore towards the decriminalised industry in Aotearoa (for the locals, migrant sex workers are still criminalised). I also examined the violence and systemic discrimination perpetuated by the criminalisation of Migrant Sex Workers (MSWs). Drawing from intersectional feminist and kyriarchal scholarship, this research explored the impact of criminalisation on MWSs, considering the influences of colonialism, patriarchy, gender, and violence. Furthermore, this research made use of the terms 'sex work' and 'sex worker' instead of 'prostitution' and 'prostitute'. The result of the terminology change is because of the global advocacy led by sex workers who aim to recognise sex work as labour. FYI: international human rights organisations have stated that there is one way to reduce the stigmatisation and violence against sex workers, namely, to decriminalise sex work (Amnesty International, World Health Organisation). Finally, I want to thank Project X Singapore, because of them I was able to learn about the sex work industry in Singapore. It is incredibly important to have an organisation like Project X to advocate for a fair and safe sex industry for everyone involved and with their help to work towards a society that respects sex workers. I especially want to thank the members of the community. They shared their experiences, stories, humour, challenges, and triumphs. This hardworking community is the beating heart of my research, and without their courage and resilience, this would not have been possible. Their voices are loud and clear: sex work is work – deserving of respect, (legal) protection and human rights. #LabourRights #SexWork #Decriminalisation #CriminalLaw #HumanRights

Last week Sex Matters hosted a meeting of people involved in the Sex Equality and Equity Networks (SEENs) and other sector and staff networks. Sector #networks are crucial, because the capture of organisations is not just a war on women but a war on competency. Unless people can speak freely about material reality, ask for clarity on policies and challenge irrational and harmful practices, they cannot do their jobs. The protection of #gendercritical beliefs in the #EqualityAct means that #employers #HR should treat people fairly when they speak up to say that sex matters. But many are still acting according to “#StonewallLaw”, viewing people who say that sex is real, immutable and important as bigots – to be, at best, barely tolerated. The day was a chance for groups at different stages of development and organisers from all over the UK to gain courage, make connections, share learning and inspire each other into action. It ended with planning and goal-setting, with each group resolving to take the next step and Sex Matters resolving to provide support in key areas. The #tradeunion group (TU Seen) was inspired to launch publicly with a Twitter account the following day! To find out more, including how to get involved, click below 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/deBX8q4V

A Guide on the Human Rights of Sex Workers emphasizes, among other issues, the importance of distinguishing sex work from trafficking in persons; assuming all sex workers are trafficked erases their autonomy and agency.

🌍 Last week, our Q3 Strategy team had the incredible opportunity to conduct fieldwork in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the mid-term review for the Danish Family Planning Association’s “Right to Safe Sex Work Project.” Throughout the week, we engaged with over 40 stakeholders, visited various project sites, and even had the privilege to observe the traditional coffee ceremony hosted by female sex workers, peer educators, and supervisors. Let me tell you a little bit about the project! In response to the challenging Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)context faced by female sex workers in Ethiopia, Sex & Samfund / Danish Family Planning Association (DFPA) launched the Right to Safe Sex Work Project in October 2022. This initiative, developed in collaboration with DFPA’s local partners—Nikat, an Ethiopian grassroots organisation, and the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE)—aims to improve the lives of female sex workers in Ethiopia and will run until March 2025. The project targets three key groups: female sex workers aged 15 to 24 in Addis Ababa (the 15-17-year-olds are only engaged in referrals to protection services), decision-makers, and duty bearers, partners, and allies. The ultimate goal is to support young female sex workers in exercising their freedoms and rights to a better, safer, and more secure everyday life. This project has three distinct intended outcomes: 1) Female Sex Workers in Addis Ababa claim their sexual and reproductive rights and access relevant and non-discriminatory SRH services and legal assistance. 2) Local authorities and opinion leaders commit to improving the rights of sex workers. 3) Female Sex Workers form a network of community-based organisations and start working collectively to improve their lives in Ethiopia. While we’re not revealing any conclusions of our evaluation just yet, it’s clear that Nikat, led by wendm niku is a fantastic grassroots organisation dedicated to helping female sex workers. This experience certainly showcased the importance of lived experiences in generating effective programs. Stay tuned for more insights and findings from my and Zoë Bonnell work in Ethiopia. #FieldWork #Ethiopia #SRHR #FemaleSexWorkers #HumanRights #Advocacy #CommunityEngagement #Nikat #DFPA #FGAE #Evaluation

Is EU law failing sex workers? 🏛️⚖️ In a thought-provoking analysis by our post-doctoral researcher Mirko Đuković, this critical question frames the complex debate on sex work and social justice in Europe. Recent decisions, such as the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that France's criminalisation of clients doesn't violate sex workers' rights, highlight a fragmented legal landscape. But is the law addressing the real issues of bodily autonomy and labour rights, or merely reinforcing outdated moral standards? This piece, co-written by Dr. Djukovic, applies a queer feminist lens 🌈✊ to argue for a radical rethinking of sex work within the EU. It calls for a shift from moralistic regulation to one that acknowledges sex workers' rights, challenges exploitation, and envisions inclusive social justice frameworks. 🌍💼 👉 Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/eCVBP8-Y

Ahead of Mandela Day, July 18, Sisonke pays homage to media liaison officers who serve as human rights defenders. Being the Sex Workers’ Sector Bojanala District chairperson positively adds to my responsibilities of addressing sex workers’ issues including stigma and discrimination in the area. Bojanala, formerly a bushveld farming area until the discovery of platinum in 1924 is home to more than a million individuals, the majority Tswana-speaking. The area is a combination of four municipalities, Rustenburg, Moses Kotane, Madibeng, Moretele, and Kgetlengrivier housing most Black Africans, totaling 49.30% being women of all races.  With that bit of background of the area I serve, my role comes with a price, but I’m happy I’ll be closest to reaching police officers and clinics in the area. In past years addressing sex work with stakeholders was frowned upon and sex workers were disregarded. I am among the many who have risen against all odds to aid sex workers in accessing adequate healthcare and their cases at police stations attended to with confidentiality. I have witnessed the discrimination experienced by many in the sex work trade at both the clinic and police stations. But I took it upon myself not to be silenced. My lucky break as a media liaison officer at the Sisonke National Movement afforded me the upper hand in advancing sex workers’ rights by engaging community members at stakeholder meetings and through community and social media. It’s truly saddening to witness the murder of sex workers in this district. My work as a sector representative extends beyond my call of duty, to the great result where all in the sex work trade can operate safely and free from robberies, rape, and murder. I am also here to ensure equal access to healthcare through condoms, lubricant distribution, and treatment adherence. A sex worker missing an appointment should not be a cause for punishment but a cause for concern. Among other reasons why sex workers miss appointments while they are held in prison cells others miss appointments while away with clients. This is pretty much to explain to clinic staff who don’t show humility for those in the sex work trade. We also can’t continue to rely on donor-funded mobile clinics which could leave at any given point, leaving our members without healthcare. I continue to advocate for sex worker-friendly health facilities to cater to the needs of sex workers. 

We commissioned the survey being reported today in the Telegraph, Daily Mail, Express and the Sun today to find out what people think of the main party policy pledges on sex and the law. There is widespread support for clarifying the Equality Act. Overall, 57% of the population support the proposal to clarify that “male” and “female” in the Equality Act mean biological sex, with just 10% opposing. There is very little support for making it easier for people to change their sex on their birth certificate. 53% of the population oppose and just 20% support. Support for allowing people to change the sex on their birth certificates had fallen from 58% in 2016. Read our full briefing on new data "The law on sex and gender: what policies do the public want?" here. #election #election2024 #sexmatters #gender #sex https://lnkd.in/ePGe9d5H

S3x work IS work!  Sex workers deserve respect, care, safety, and protection.  Since our founding in 2003, Woodhull has worked tirelessly here in the United States and on the International Stage through the United Nations. In 2010, we traveled to Geneva for an international review of human rights violations in the U.S. On March 10th, 2010, we were pleased to join our allies in announcing that, for the first time ever, the U.S. Federal Government has officially condemned violence and discrimination against sex workers! The work to achieve full recognition of the human rights of sex workers didn’t begin there, and it certainly didn't end there. We are so pleased and excited to share this publication, A Guide on the Human Rights of Sex Workers, compiled by the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the highest standard of physical and mental health (SR health), the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI) and the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls (WGDAWG) Download it, share it through the link: https://lnkd.in/g27Nd95B #sexworkiswork #sexworkersrights #sexualfreedom #humanrights #equalrights #sexworkers #sexualexpression #freeexpression

SEEN are staff networks committed to promoting and supporting sex equality and equity between women and men in workplaces, and helping all staff to thrive at work and fulfil their potential. The focus of a SEEN network is on challenging sex discrimination and upholding rights and protections that relate to sex (including the protections provided to those with the protected characteristics of sex, pregnancy and maternity and sexual orientation, as set out in the Equality Act 2010). SEEN members recognise that to achieve this - and ensure sex equality and equity - sometimes requires treating women and men differently, according to our different rights and needs. Members of SEEN are also committed to the protected belief (covered by the protected characteristic of religion and belief in the Equality Act 2010) that biological sex is binary and immutable, that biological sex matters for both women and men in our everyday lives, including for our rights and needs in the workplace, and that biological sex must not be conflated with, or replaced by, the concepts of gender or gender identity. There are SEEN networks in numerous organisations including the Government and Police. There are also cross company networks, for example the finance sector and HR. Does anyone know if there is a SEEN network for non-academics working or studying at universities? If so, do you have the contact details of SEEN in University? SEEN in the City SEEN in HR LGB Alliance #SEEN