Mapa de organizaciones socias beneficiarias

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

Regional Network - Belgium Based

International

English

This network of individuals and organisations in Europe and Central Asia campaigns against the criminalisation of sex work, and the conflation of sex work and human trafficking. It serves as a platform to share experiences and solidarity, and to create alliances between sex workers’ rights organisations and allies from other movements who support sex workers’ rights. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the network to hire a coordinator to strengthen the network and develop strategies to influence the European Parliament.

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

National, International

English

This sex worker-led network unites 85 organisations and 150 individuals from 30 countries with the aim to increase 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 organises training opportunities for sex workers on advocay and human rights and builds partnerships with other movements.

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

Jagriti Mahila Mahasangha (JMM)

Nepal

Local, Subnational, National

English

This network unites 27 community-based organisations of women sex workers in 22 districts of Nepal. JMMS raises awareness among sex workers about HIV and works to end violence against sex workers perpetrated by police, institutions, clients and intimate partners. The network provides legal counselling to sex workers and supports them with filing complaints with the police. At the national level, JMMS engages in CEDAW reporting processes and advocates against laws and policies that discriminate against sex workers and criminalise them.

Jamaica Sex Work Coalition (JSWC)

Jamaica

National

English

This group of sex workers works to change laws that criminalise aspects of sex work in Jamaica. SWAJ promotes the rights of sex workers and aims to reduce stigma through outreach to the general public and videos that show the human face of sex work. The group organises workshops with police officers to sensitise them about how to interact with sex workers, especially street workers who are the most vulnerable to police harassment. SWAJ plans to organise a conference where sex workers will share their experiences with law enforcement.

Jamaica Sex Work Coalition (JSWC)

Jamaica

Local, National, International

English

Jamaica Sex Work Coalition was created in 2007 following several reports from the Ministry of Health highlighting important gaps in service delivery for sex workers. The group advocates at national level for the rights of sex workers of all genders and pushes for legal reforms. The group organises workshops with law enforcement officers and media campaigns to end Jamaican society’s stigma and discrimination towards sex workers.

Jamaica Sex Work Coalition Changed to Jamaica Vulnerable People Alliance

Jamaica

Local

English

Jamaica Vulnerable People Alliance (JVPA) formerly known as Sex Work Association of Jamaica (SWAJ/JSWC) was created in 2008 to address human rights gaps in the national response to HIV and AIDS in Jamaica. The organisation has been pushing for reforms in law enforcement by educating law officers and security personnel about sex workers’ rights and health rights to end stigma and discrimination towards sex workers.

Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)

Kenya

National

English

This national network of sex workers works with and connects 35 sex worker-led organisations in Kenya to improve their skills and knowledge on topics such as organisational development, fundraising and human rights policy advocacy. KESWA organises campaigns to influence law and policy makers at national level to decriminalise sex work and improve living and working conditions for sex workers and end the high levels of violence against sex workers.

Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)

Kenya

National

English

This national network unites and represents sex worker-led organisations in all 47 counties of Kenya. KESWA organises media boot camps and builds leadership skills of its members. The network trains sex workers as paralegals and human rights defenders to improve sex workers’ access to justice. KESWA is working towards a strategic litigation case to decriminalize sex work in the country and is developing a security plan to address violence against sex workers.

Kiaswa Initiative

Kenya

Local

English

Kiambu Sex Workers Association (KIASWA) was established in 2014 and registered in the year 2017 as a community-based organisation (CBO) to offer sexual and reproductive health services to male and female sex workers, as well as sex workers who use drugs or inject drugs, primarily in all Kiambu county slums. The organisation works towards advocating for the rights of sex workers, adolescent girls and young women through advocating for policy change and creating awareness for them to access just and comprehensive reproductive health rights and justice.

Kirovograd Regional Department All Ukrainian League «Legalife», Ukraine

Ukraine

Local

Russian

This group is a regional branch of the national sex workers’ organisation All-Ukrainian League ‘Legalife’. Committed to unifying sex workers in the region to advocate for their human rights, the organisation uses peer education and support to build the capacities of individual sex workers. The group also documents cases of police violence against sex workers.

Legalife Ukraine

Ukraine

Local, National

Russian

Formerly known as Legalife Kirovograd Branch, this organisation mobilises sex workers and allies in different parts of the country with the aim to protect and promote sex workers’ health and human rights. Legalife Ukraine works to end gender-based violence, organises self-support groups of sex workers, and provides free legal support to sex workers through a free hotline (phone line). The group works to improve sex workers’ access to sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. Legalife works at local and national levels and is well connected internationally.

Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project

Canada

Local, National

English

This organisation supports sex workers in Toronto to live and work in safety and with dignity through education on safer sex and drug use. Maggie’s provides drop-in spaces, counselling and referrals to health and social services. The Red Umbrella Fund grant supports its efforts to reach out particularly to and address the needs and rights of sex workers from indigenous communities through hosting dedicated drumming groups and talking circles.

Mahila Sachetana Kendra (MSK)

Nepal

Local

English

Mahila Sachetana Kendra is dedicated to advocating for the rights of sex workers, promoting their health and well-being, and ensuring access to human rights and justice. MSK aims to address the pervasive stigma, discrimination, and lack of support services faced by sex workers. Decriminalisation is central to their mission. MSK strives to ensure that those directly affected have a prominent voice in decision-making and advocacy efforts. Health and well-being services are another critical focus.

Mahila Sahayogi Samuha

Nepal

local

inglés

Mahila Sahayogi Samuha se creó en 2008 para responder a las necesidades específicas de las trabajadoras sexuales del este de Nepal. La organización cuenta ahora con más de 500 integrantes y trabaja para reforzar entre las trabajadoras sexuales el conocimiento de sus derechos humanos con el fin de acabar con el estigma y la violencia a través de la defensa de sus derechos, las alianzas y la movilización comunitaria.

Mahila Sahayogi Samuha (MSS)

Nepal

Local

English

This local self-led organisation in the east of the country was set up in 2008 to address the specific needs of female sex workers. The group includes sex workers living with HIV and people who use drugs and the majority of its more than 300 members are illiterate. MSS works to build sex workers’ understanding of human rights. The group is connected to other sex worker groups and allies and reaches out to the local government to end stigma and violence against sex workers and increase the recognition of sex work as work among service providers and government.

Malawi Sex Workers Alliance (MSWA)

Malawi

Local, National

English

This group of women sex workers was formed in 2014 to advocate for the health and human rights of sex workers. Malawi Sex Workers Alliance (MASWA) reaches out to law and policy makers and enforcers to improve the way sex workers are perceived and treated in the country. The group documents human rights violations, provides training on human rights to sex workers, and supports sex workers to access justice.

Men Against Aids Youth Group (MAAYGO)

Kenya

Local

English

Created 2008, this sex worker-led organisation in Kisumu, a port city on Lake Victoria, advocates for the rights of communities with multiple stigmatised identities (e.g., sex worker, LGBTQI+, and/or living with HIV). MAAYGO’s mission is to provide men sex workers and men having sex with men, especially those living with HIV, with access to quality health services. The group runs a safe space where young LGBTQI+ can meet, exchange experiences, access free condoms, receive HIV counselling and simply be themselves.

Minas Gerais Prostitute’s Association (APROSMIG)

Brazil

Local

English

This group reaches over 2000 women sex workers in the Brazilian state of Minais Gerais through language classes, condom distribution, HIV awareness messages, seminars, and public demonstrations to bring attention to the citizenship and rights of sex workers. This group organises special meetings for new sex workers as well as for older (50 plus) sex workers. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will contribute to strengthening the organisational capacities through regular meetings and trainings for its staff and members.

MO Ho Justice

United States

Local

English

MOHO Justice was founded in 2019 by an Asian queer and Black trans sex worker. The organisation is committed to improving the freedom, safety, and well-being of sex workers in Missouri. The organisation promotes advocacy, community building, mutual aid, healing justice, arts and culture, and education, with a diverse membership of individual sex workers and a network of organisations. With funding from the Red Umbrella Fund, MOHO Justice will launch a street outreach initiative to identify hotspots for outdoor sex workers. This effort aims to distribute safer sex and harm reduction supplies while connecting individuals to peer support and essential services, fostering a stronger and safer community.

Movement for Vulnerability and Empowerment (MOVE)

Sierra Leone

Local

English

Led by sex workers who are women, this recently established organisation advocates for improved access to health care, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health. MOVE has a focus on combating violence, and engages political and religious leaders to educate them about the experiences of sex workers.

Mujeres Del Sur

Peru

Local

Spanish

This group, based in Arequipa, is led by sex workers who are women. Mujeres del Sur challenges police violence through awareness-raising among local communities and leaders, and works to combat police violence through strategic litigation. The organisation advocates for the recognition and protection of the labour rights of sex workers.

New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)

United States

Local, Subnational

English

This alliance of sex worker activists promotes the human rights of sex workers living and working in New Jersey. In the context of rising criminalisation, NJRUA provides community support and campaigns for better policies. The group conducts outreach to street sex workers and organises community activities in various cities throughout the state of New Jersey, informing sex workers about their rights, distributing condoms and expanding its network among sex workers.

New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)

United States

Local, Subnational, National

English

This group amplifies the voices of a diversity of sex workers through media, storytelling, peer-led trainings and creative advocacy programmes, with the aim of reducing stigma, promoting human rights, increasing access to justice and personal development.

Nigeria Sex Workers Association (NSWA)

Nigeria

National

English

This national network of sex workers in Nigeria provides trainings to build the capacity of its 24 member organisations. This group particularly works on reducing violence from the police by educating sex workers on how to document abuse when they face it and by organising workshops with police officers on respect for human rights. NSWA provides trainings to sex workers to build self-esteem and public-speaking skills so that sex workers can speak out more effectively in national and international forums.

Nigeria Sex Workers Association (NSWA)

Nigeria

National

English

Nigeria Sex Workers Association advocates for sex workers’ rights through awareness raising, capacity strengthening, organisational development and advocacy. As a national sex worker network, the organisation unites 35 sex worker-led groups working with sex workers of all genders in all the 36 states of Nigeria.

Nijgadh Mahila Samuha (NMS)

Nepal

local

English

This sex worker-led organisation formed in 2009 works locally in Nepal to strengthen the capacity of female sex workers through advocacy, leadership and networking ultimately strengthening the feminist movement as a whole.

Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu former WOPI)

Nigeria

Local, Subnational, National

English

This sex worker-led organisation in Lagos advocates for the human and labour rights of sex workers of all genders, sexual identities and backgrounds. The group trains sex workers on human rights and builds partnerships with local authorities to prevent and address violence against sex workers. ODWI plans to use the grant to run a media campaign to address stigma against sex workers and set up a crisis centre to respond to human rights abuses and support sex workers who have experienced violence.

Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu formerly WOPI)

Nigeria

Local, Subnational, National

English

WOPI is the only visible, self-led group of sex workers in Nigeria. The organisation supports female sex workers mobilizing for their rights in the capital Lagos and organizes rallies and media campaigns for decriminalisation. They have been expanding their activities to other parts of the country and are increasing their influence at national level where they advocate for longer-term improvement of sex workers’ living and working condition and the recognition of their human rights.

Organización de Trabajadoras del Sexo (OTS)

El Salvador

Local

Spanish

This group was created in 2004 by sex workers to confront and prevent the discrimination, abuse and violence experienced daily by sex workers at work, within their families, and in society in general by educating the general public about sex workers’ rights. The group reaches women sex workers working on the street and in parks with HIV prevention information and peer support. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will contribute to a field study of the needs of sex workers in 15 municipalities.

Organización de Trabajadoras del Sexo (OTS)

El Salvador

Local, National

Spanish

This national sex worker organisation in El Salvador aims to end the discrimination, abuse and violence experienced daily by sex workers at work, within their families and in society in general. The group provides peer support and information to women sex workers working on the street and in parks, with particular attention to sex workers living with HIV, young sex workers, mothers and elderly sex workers. OTS reaches out to media and builds partnerships with feminist organisations to more effectively influence policymakers, and improve laws and practices in order to protect the human rights of sex workers.

Organización de Trabajadoras del Sexo (OTS)

El Salvador

Local, National

Spanish

This national sex worker organisation aims to end the discrimination, abuse and violence experienced daily by sex workers at work, within their families, and in society in general. The group provides peer support and information to women sex workers working on the street and in parks, with particular attention to sex workers living with HIV, young sex workers, mothers, and elderly sex workers. OTS reaches out to media and builds partnerships with feminist organisations and others to more effectively influence policy makers at local and national levels to improve laws and practices to that protect the human rights of sex workers.

Organización de Trabajadoras Nocturnas Bolivia (OTN-B)

Bolivia

National

Spanish

With over 17,000 members across the nine departments of Bolivia, this sex worker-led organisation works to end stigma and discrimination against sex workers. Created in 2000, this group unites diverse sex workers of all genders and sexual orientations and includes indigenous sex workers. With this grant, OTN-B will set up a telephone hotline to support sex workers facing violence. The group will organise departmental and national convenings of sex workers to strengthen community engagement and build advocacy capacity in support of a new law to regulate sex work in Bolivia.

Organización de Trabajadoras Sexuales (OTRAS)

Spain

National

Spanish

As a trade union, OTRAS works in Spain to defend the economic and labour rights of sex workers. Created in 2018, the organisation will use its grant to strengthen its communication and visibility as well as organising advocacy activities.

Organización de Trabajadoras Sexuales (OTRAS)

Spain

National

Spanish

The main mission of the OTRAS trade union is the defence of the rights, of all rights, social, labour and economic of sex workers, as a trade union, adhering to the principles of Freedom of Association that the International Labour Organisationt -the International Labour Organisation (ILO). One of the basic axes of OTRAS since its inception was representation in the management bodies of all the sectors that make up sex work (clubs, apartments, street, independent, performers, men, females). With this grant, the group has planned several activities on strategic litigation as well as some visibility actions and workshops for its members.

Organización de Trabajadoras Sexuales (OTRASEX)

Dominican Republic

National

Spanish

OTRASEX has its origins in mid-2012 when a group of autonomous sex workers came together as a response to the problems they face on daily basis: violations of their rights, stigma and discrimination, among others. They work in the struggle for human and labour rights, for a law that regulates sex work and access to rights for all women sex workers in the Dominican Republic and is making an effort to reach all different areas where sex workers operate in the Dominican Republic, focusing in empowering themselves and arriving in areas that are difficult to reach geographically.

Organización Nacional de Activistas por la Emancipacion de la Mujer (ONAEM)

Bolivia

Subnational, National

Spanish

This national sex worker-led group builds the sex workers’ movement in Bolivia by providing capacity building opportunities for its members. ONAEM builds alliances with the related movements, including the feminist and LGBTQI+ movements in the country, to more effectively promote sex workers’ rights. By educating public health service providers about sex work and human rights, ONAEM contributes to improving the quality of services and reducing the level of stigma and discrimination experienced by sex workers. ONAEM coordinates its work at the regional level through the regional sex workers network RedTraSex.

Organization for a Better Tomorrow for Equal Rights (COSWRIM)

Nigeria

National

English

Coalition for Sex Worker Rights Movement in Nigeria (COSWRIM), is a national network that was created in 2021 to advocate for the rights of diverse sex workers across Nigeria. The organisation focuses on advocacy, community empowerment, stigma reduction, evidence-based strategies, partnerships, and resource mobilization. In addition, COSWRIM engages with policymakers to advocate for laws and policies that protect the rights of sex workers, including the decriminalization of sex work and ensuring access to justice.

Pacific Rainbow Advocacy Network (PRAN)

Fiji

Local

English

This sex workers’ organisation operates in Lautoka, a popular tourist destination in western Fiji. Committed to advocating for the rights of all sex workers, the group organises safe space meetings and mobilises sex workers using peer education. PRAN builds relationships with NGOs, government ministries and UN agencies to campaign for legal and policy reform.

Parapli Rouz

Mauritius

National

English

This group of sex workers is active in Port Louis, Mauritius. The group unites sex workers of diverse ethnic background and includes those living with HIV and those that use drugs. Parapli Rouz conducts outreach with sex workers on HIV prevention, and mobilises them to challenge stigma and police violence.

Parapli Rouz

Mauritius

local, national

English

Parapli Rouz builds sex workers? knowledge and skills on human rights and advocacy with the aim to have sex work recognised as work in Mauritius. The organisation also provides legal support to sex workers to protect their right to carry condoms and to be able to maintain custody of their children; and offers peer education and HIV testing among sex workers across the island with their outreach caravan.