Mapa de organizaciones socias beneficiarias

Community-based organization G3VN

Vietnam

local

English

The sex worker-led organisation G3VN works with transgender sex workers to advance their well-being and defend their rights, including their right to health. Created in 2011, G3VN implements a range of people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable strategies, including knowledge building, outreach and trainings for healthcare workers.

Community-based organization G3VN

Vietnam

Local

English

G3VN works in the Southern provinces of Vietnam to empower transgender women sex workers and advocates for their access to friendly and gender-sensitive services. The group conducts research, trainings for healthcare providers and community mobilisation activities and supports the trans and intersex community in the Ho Chi Minh City region through outreach.

Comunidad de Trans, Travestis y Trabajadoras Sexuales Dominicanas (COTRAVETD)

Dominican Republic

Local

Spanish

Working at the national level and led by sex workers who are trans, the group provides health and HIV services and information to sex workers. COTRAVETD makes use of the media to address stigma and discrimination and educate the public about sex workers’ rights.

Davida

Brazil

Local

English

This organisation focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention and improving the legal status and labour conditions of sex workers in the country. A draft bill to decriminalise and regulate sex work has been named in honour of the founder of the organisation, the late Gabriela Leite. In 2005, Davida launched the fashion line Daspu, which serves as an income-generating activity and also an advocacy strategy. Davida’s magazine, Beiji da Rua, reaches thousands of sex workers, allies and decision makers around the country.

Desiree Alliance

United States

National, International

English

This network brings together organisations and individuals from diverse sex worker communities across the US to strengthen their advocacy for the human rights of sex workers. Desiree Alliance supports the development of local and regional sex worker leadership in the country, so that sex workers themselves can advocate for their human, labour and civil rights. The network organises national conferences, providing space and opportunity for sex workers and allies to share, learn and strategise together for more effective sex workers’ rights advocacy.

Desiree Alliance

United States

Local, National

English

This network of sex worker organisations, communities and individuals across the US organises regular national conference for sex workers . These conferences provide unique opportunities for sex workers and allies to come together to share, learn and strategise for more effective advocacy for sex workers’ rights. Desiree Alliance engages in national and international advocacy by promoting the leadership of sex workers in combating HIV and in United Nations Universal Periodic Review processes.

Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee/DMSC

India

Local

English

In response to a 1992 survey in Sonagachi, the largest red light district in Asia, the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health initiated an intervention program to combat STIs and HIV among sex workers. This initiative evolved into the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC), a forum of sex workers in West Bengal, India, representing about 50,000 sex workers. DMSC has played a pivotal role in improving the lives of sex workers and their families over the past 30 years, challenging myths and stigmas associated with their profession. DMSC provides health services, including HIV/STI support, and runs 38 clinics across West Bengal. The organization’s mission is to establish the rights and dignity of sex workers globally, focusing on self-esteem, societal norms, and empowerment through collectivization, addressing power relations, and building alliances. With their Red Umbrella Fund grant, DMSC plans to undertake capacity-building for sex workers, training them to engage with officials, organizing fairs to combat societal stigma, negotiating with policymakers, and interacting with the police to change policies and legislation that disempower sex workers. The goal is to enhance the representation, participation, and access to services for sex workers, promoting their rights and dignity.

Eldoret Sex Workers Alliance(Registered Star Ladies Of Hope)

Kenya

Local, Subnational

English

Eldoret Sex Workers Alliance- ESWA/SLOH is the only sex worker-led organisation in Uasin Gishu County based in Eldoret town Kenya. The organisation has been in existence since the year 2014 and was registered in 2020. Eldoret Sex Workers’ work is based in local and county contexts though they are operating along two major busy highways that link Kenya to other East African countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Ethiopia. The organisation works towards linking female, male and trans sex workers with services such as health services and social and psychological support. Due to the discrimination, stigma and exclusion sex workers face, ESWA programming focuses on areas of Advocacy (for Rights and Access to Services) and the Well-being of sex workers.

EMPOWER Chiang Mai

Thailand

Local, National, International

English

The sex worker organisation Empower Chiang Mai builds leadership capacity among Thai and migrant sex workers and advocates for safe and healthy work conditions. Created in 1985, the group is well connected nationally and internationally and known for its creative activism. Empower runs a museum called «This is Us» aimed at educating the public and has produced books and films. The group facilitates exchanges between sex workers in the region and campaigns for the decriminalisation of sex work.

EMPOWER Chiang Mai

Thailand

Local, National, International

English

The sex worker-led organisation Empower Chiang Mai working with women sex workers and particularly migrant women sex workers, advocates for safe working conditions. Created in 1985, the group is well connected nationally and internationally and is known for its creative activism. The group also runs a museum to educate the public on sex workers’ rights.

Engender Rights Centre for Justice (ERCJ)

Zambia

Local, Subnational

English

This group works to protect the rights and interests of sex workers through outreach and capacity building of sex workers of all genders in the capital city Lusaka and surroundings. Three out of four members of the group are HIV positive and one of the priority areas of the group is access to HIV prevention and treatment services for sex workers. The group also trains health care workers and police on the needs and rights of sex workers.

English Collective of Prostitutes

United Kingdom

Local, Subnational, National, International

English

Since 1975, English Ciollective of Prostitutes work on legal cases, public education and parliamentary lobby for the rights of sex workers in London and other areas of United Kingdom. Their members include among others: sex workers of colour, undocumented migrants from Africa and Asia, single and low income mothers, lesbians, trans people. With this grant, ECP aims to highlight the experiences of sex working mothers who have been threatened with having their children taken by the state as well as to prepare an education campaign on the injustice and harm caused by local authority banning orders against street based sex workers.

EntrePutxs

Puerto Rico

local

Spanish

EntrePutxs works to create alternative spaces and practices for sex workers where their wants and needs are prioritised. The organisation seeks to continue creating spaces where sex workers can be in community, collaborate, facilitate workshops & healing circles, coordinate events, panels and give not only platform but also resources to sex workers. With this grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation intends to create a podcast, a cabaret and a support fund for sex workers.

European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA, former ICRSE)

Regional Network - Netherlands based

international

English

The European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)’s membership comprises more than 100 organisations spread across the WHO Europe region. With their actions and approach inspired by their membership, ESWA works to build a strong, vibrant and sustainable network that mobilises national, regional and international advocacy activity that moves us towards long-term, systemic change.

European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA, former ICRSE)

Netherlands

International

English

ESWA is a sex worker-led network representing more than 100 organisations in 30 countries across Europe and Central Asia. ESWA works to build a strong, vibrant and sustainable network that mobilises national, regional and international advocacy activity, moving sex workers towards long-term, systemic change. This includes legal reform, increased social and labour protections, inclusive healthcare and improved health outcomes, enhanced privacy and digital rights, and increased access to justice and reductions in punitive policing.

European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

National, International

English

This sex worker-led network has a membership of 105 organisations across 35 countries of Europe and Central Asia. At national level, ESWA supports sex workers’ self organisation though trainings, development of activities or strategic plan as well as submission to governmental consultations. At European level, ICRSE coordinates advocacy and campaigns and has been very active in building alliances with key European civil society networks across movements, and especially with migrants and LGBTI+ organisations.

Note: Prior to 2020 ESWA was known as International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Feminist Action Development Ambition (FADA)

Rwanda

national

English

Feminist Action Development Ambition (FADA) was founded in 2015 by Sex Workers and Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Queer individuals to serve their communities in Rwanda facing discrimination and Human Rights abuses. With this grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation will continue its advocacy and celebrate International Sex Workers’ Day and World AIDS Day among others.

Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer

Chile

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

This group promotes the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. The group reaches around 2000 sex workers across the country through condom distribution, peer education on HIV and human rights, accompaniment of sex workers to health centres and by organising informative workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to expand its efforts to build leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country.

Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer

Chile

Local

Spanish

This group promotes the sexual and reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS, and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. The group reaches around 700 sex workers, most of them in the capital city, through outreach by peer educators, handing out condoms, accompanying sex workers to health centres, and informative workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to build leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country.

Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer

Chile

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

This group promotes the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. Fundación Margen reaches around 2000 sex workers across the country, including many migrant women, by distributing condoms, providing peer education on HIV and human rights, offering accompaniment of sex workers to health centres, and organising informative community workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant supports the group to expand its efforts to build local leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country.

Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer

Chile

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer is a group that promotes sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. The group reaches around 2,000 sex workers, including many migrant women, across the country through condom distribution, peer education on HIV and human rights, accompaniment of sex workers to health centres and by organising informative workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant is enabling the group to expand its efforts to build leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country.

Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer

Chile

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

Fundación Margen is a 26-year-old organization that promotes the human and labour rights as well as the sexual and reproductive health of women sex workers in Chile. The organisation reaches many sex workers across the country, including migrant women, by distributing condoms, providing peer education on HIV and human rights, offering accompaniment of sex workers to health centres, and organising informative community workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant supports the group to continue its outreach activities and to expand its efforts to build local leadership and strengthen the movement for the recognition of sex work as work. As a national organization, Fundacion Margen supports self-led groups of women sex workers in different parts of the country, but it is also active at the international level in partnership with the regional network RedTraSex, of which it was one of the founding members in 1997.

Goreto Nepal

Nepal

Local

English

In a context where buying sex is criminalised, this sex worker-led organisation working in the Pokhara valley of Nepal aims to end stigma and discrimination faced by women sex workers and their children through community mobilisation, advocacy activities and alliance building.

Grupo de Mulheres Prostitutas do Estado Pará (GEMPAC)

Brazil

Local

English

Founded over 20 years ago, GEMPAC works in the state of Pará in northern Brazil, mobilising women sex workers to confront violence and to challenge the stigma surrounding sex work. The group partners with artists to organise cultural events and uses visual arts as part of its fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.

Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC)

Guyana

Local

English

This group provides peer-to-peer support and training to sex workers in Guyana and the wider Caribbean region to build their knowledge and confidence to stand up for their rights, including the right to be protected from police violence, to access HIV/AIDS and other health services, and for their work to be recognised as work. The group trains health providers, police, and the military as a strategy to reduce stigma, discrimination and violence against sex workers.

Guyana Vulnerable Population Alliance

Guyana

National

English

Guyana Vulnerable Population Alliance -GVPA is a new group that was created in the year 2022 to bridge the gap of the Caribbean Sex Workers Coalition so they could continue with advocacy activities in Guyana and support sex workers through promoting safety, health and human rights of sex workers. The organisation is committed to empowering sex workers and providing them with a platform where they can achieve their goals.

HIV/AIDS Research and Welfare Centre (HARC)

Bangladesh

Local, National

English

HARC represents over 5,000 women sex workers mainly in the capital city Dhaka. The group works to improve sex workers’ health by conducting peer outreach and condom distribution, building sex workers’ knowledge on HIV and STIs and by providing referrals to services. The group builds sex workers’ skills in human rights advocacy and collaborates with the National Human Rights Commission and other allies to lobby for changes in laws and policies that negatively impact on sex workers’ lives. They were featured for their COVID-19 response on Australian TV: https://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-special-bangladeshs-sex-workers/av-59050940

HIV/AIDS Research and Welfare Centre (HARC)

Bangladesh

Local, National

English

This group promotes sex workers’ safety, health and human rights by mobilising the community and organising capacity-building opportunities for sex workers. HARC monitors HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for sex workers, and challenges laws, policies and practices that are harmful to sex workers. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to conduct city scans in Bangladesh to expand its knowledge about the situation of sex workers working in hotels, brothels, residences, and on the street.

HIV/AIDS Research and Welfare Centre (HARC)

Bangladesh

Local, National

English

HARC represents over 5,000 women sex workers mainly in the capital city Dhaka. The group works to improve sex workers’ health by conducting peer outreach and condom distribution, building sex workers’ knowledge on HIV and STIs and by providing referrals to services. The group builds sex workers’ skills in human rights advocacy and collaborates with the National Human Rights Commission and other allies to lobby for changes in laws and policies that negatively impact on sex workers’ lives.

HIV/AIDS Research and Welfare Centre (HARC)

Bangladesh

Local, National

English

This sex worker-led group promotes sex workers’ safety, health, and human rights by mobilising the community and organising capacity-building opportunities for sex workers. HARC provides referrals to HIV and sexual and reproductive health services. The group also challenges laws and policies that are harmful to sex workers. Building on the knowledge and experience gained through the group’s previous Red Umbrella Fund grant, HARC plans to use this grant to build the capacity of five local sex worker groups in five major cities of Bangladesh to address human rights violations and promote respect for sex workers.

HIV/AIDS Research and Welfare Centre (HARC)

Bangladesh

Local, National

English

Founded in 2001, HARC works with women sex workers, mainly in Bangladesh’s capital city Dhaka. The group works to improve sex workers’ lives and health by conducting peer outreach and condom distribution, building sex workers’ knowledge on violence prevention and HIV/STIs, and by providing referrals to healthcare services. The group builds sex workers’ skills in leadership and human rights advocacy, develops partnerships with women’s rights and workers’ rights organisations, and works with allies in elected positions of power at the local and national level to lobby for changes in laws and policies that negatively impact on sex workers’ lives, and for the recognition of sex work as work.

Hoa Co May CBO

Vietnam

local

English

Hoa Co May Group works to improve the quality of life of sex workers and people living with HIV+ in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. With this first grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to cover some of its core costs and support sex workers’ access to screening for sexually transmitted infections and treatment as well as access to health insurance.

Hommes pour les Droits et la Santé Sexuelle (HODSAS)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

National

French

HODSAS is an organisation for sex workers operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. HODSAS supports its members in managing their health. With this grant, HODSAS will organise trainings on sexual health and rights, distribute sanitary pads and organise radio shows on sexual health and rights and family planning in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hommes pour les Droits et la Santé Sexuelle (HODSAS)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

National

French

HODSAS is an organisation for sex workers operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. HODSAS supports its members in managing their health. With this grant, HODSAS will organise trainings on sexual health and rights, distribute sanitary pads and organise radio shows on sexual health and rights and family planning in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hong Kong Transgender Migrant Service Workers Network (HKTGMSWN)

Hong Kong

Local

English

This emerging group in Hong Kong reaches out to migrant transgender sex workers with HIV and STI prevention information, legal support, and human rights capacity-building support, provided by peer educators. The group combats stigma and discrimination faced by transgender sex workers through public awareness campaigns. The ‘Don’t Cut my Hair Campaign’ addresses the humiliation faced by trans women in prisons in Hong Kong who are ordinarily placed in the men’s department and forced to cut their hair short.

Indonesian Sex Workers’ Organization / Organisasi Perubahan Sosial Indonesia (OPSI)

Indonesia

Local, National

English

This national network with members in 20 provinces of Indonesia works to uphold sex workers’ human rights. OPSI increases sex workers’ awareness of their human rights through trainings and advocates for better laws and the meaningful involvement of sex workers in processes and decisions that affect them.

Indonesian Sex Workers’ Organization / Organisasi Perubahan Sosial Indonesia (OPSI)

Indonesia

Local, National

English

With a presence in 19 provinces in Indonesia, this sex worker-led network provides HIV and other health services to sex workers through drop-in centres, outreach, and referrals. OPSI builds partnerships with government, service providers and HIV organisations to improve sex workers’ access to HIV and STI prevention, treatment and care services. With this grant, OPSI plans to study the impact on sex workers of brothel closures in six major Indonesian cities, and the connection between human rights violations and HIV/STI vulnerability. OPSI will use the results of this research in its advocacy work.

Initiative Group Dignity (Etibor)

Tajikistan

Local

English

Founded less than two years ago (2010), this self-led group works with sex workers of all genders and sexual orientations. Initiative Group Dignity operates a community centre for sex workers in Dushanbe, advocates against police violence, and offers support services to the children of sex workers.

International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

National, International

English

This sex worker-led network unites 103 organisations from 32 countries in Europe and Central Asia with the aim to increase the visibility and influence of sex workers at the European level. ESWA advocates against the criminalisation of sex work, and conducts research and advocacy on rights violations against sex workers. The network organises training opportunities for sex workers on advocacy and human rights, and builds partnerships with other movements such as human rights, LGBT and migrant organisations.

Note: In 2020 ICRSE became European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)

International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)

Regional Network - Belgium Based

International

English

This sex worker-led network unites 170 organisations and individuals from 25 countries, increasing the visibility and influence of sex workers at the European level. ICRSE advocates against the criminalisation of sex work and conducts research and advocacy on rights violations against sex workers. The network is documenting the history of sex worker activism in Europe to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe in 2015.

Note: In 2020 ICRSE became European Sex Workers Rights Alliance (ESWA)