Grantee-Partners Map

$carlet Timor Kollectivu

Timor Leste

National

English

This national sex workers’ collective works to improve sex workers’ access to HIV and increase recognition of their human rights, including the right to fair working conditions, and freedom from violence and police harassment. $TK represents sex workers of all genders in government decision-making spaces and civil society, particularly with regard to HIV.

Action Humanitaire pour la Sante et le Developpement (AHUSADEC)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Local

French

The Bukavu branch of AHUSADEC is a sex worker-led group that operates in Kivu province. It provides a safe space for sex workers where it offers health information and documents cases of violence which it brings to police and court. Through radio shows the group aims to promote its work and educate the public about human rights.

Advocacy Normalizing Sex Work through Education and Resources (ANSWERS)

Canada

Local

English

ANSWERS envisions a community of sex workers that is fully integrated, accepted, and safe so that they can enjoy equal opportunities within Canadian society. To achieve their mission, ANSWERS supports sex workers and their rights through outreach, education, and support services while working to end violence and stigma towards sex workers.

Africa Sex Worker Alliance

Kenya

international

English

This sex worker-led African regional network was created in 2009 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Africa Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA) has sex worker-led organisations as members in 35 African countries. The network amplifies the voices of their sex worker members and advocates for the health and human rights of the diverse community of sex workers working and living in Africa. ASWA intends to use its grant to continue its advocacy in the region and continue to strengthen itself as a network.

African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)

Regional Network - Kenya Based

International

English

This sex worker-led African regional network was created in 2009 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Africa Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA) has more than 70 sex worker-led organisations as members in 33 African countries. The network amplifies the voices of their sex worker members and advocates for the health and human rights of the diverse community of sex workers working and living in Africa. ASWA intends to use its grant to create a capacity scan to be used in modelling future trainings for sex worker-led organisations in 5 African countries.

African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)

Regional Network - Kenya Based

International

English

This regional network unites sex worker groups from 11 countries and seeks to expand its membership to include all countries on the African continent. It provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local sex workers’ groups that work to improve their access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes groups working with women, men and trans sex workers. ASWA represents sex workers’ interest in regional and international processes and platforms.

Alcondoms Cameroun

Cameroon

Local, National

French

This group provides health and HIV services to sex workers of all genders. Alcondoms organises workshops for law enforcement, health care providers and others to promote respect for sex workers’ rights, and to address stigma and violence. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to develop advocacy material such as a documentary about the experiences of sex workers in Cameroon.

Alcondoms Cameroun

Cameroon

Local, National

French

Alcondoms was established in 2012 in response to the harmful legal and policy environment for sex workers in Cameroon. This sex worker-led group promotes the human and labour rights of sex workers and works to increase sex workers’ access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, STI and tuberculosis screening, and counselling services. Alcondoms is located in the outskirts of Douala and directly serves the high concentration of sex workers in the area, which are often not reached by other local and national service providers.

Asociación Civil CAMBIO Y ACCION

Peru

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

Working mainly with men sex workers, Asociación Civil Cambio y Accion aims to eradicate violence, stigma and discrimination and achieve the recognition of sex work as work. Amongst others, the organisation will use its grant from Red Umbrella Fund to mark International Sex Workers’ Days and to strengthen itself.

Asociación Civil TS “Rosas Mujeres de Lucha”

Peru

national

Spanish

Selling sex is legal in Peru but only by following regulations – mandatory health checks, registration and working in a licensed brothel. Street walking is illegal. Most sex workers work illegally. In this context, Asociación Civil TS Rosas Mujeres de Lucha works to defend sex workers’ human rights and aims to use its first grant from Red Umbrella Fund to open a safer space for sex workers to meet without risking violence.

Asociación de Trabajadoras Sexuales, Miluska, Vida y Dignidad

Peru

National

Spanish

This sex worker-led group has been working without previous funding for over 15 years for the recognition of sex work as work. Miluska Vida y Dignidad collaborates with a legal advisor to denounce police violence against sex workers and respond to arrests. The group collaborates with other activists in the country and the region to share experiences and conduct joint advocacy for the human rights of sex workers. By setting up a transit house, the group will provide direct support to women sex workers who have experienced violenc

Asociación Nacional de Mujeres Buscando Libertad (ASMUBULI)

Colombia

local, national

Spanish

ASMUBULI unites women sex workers in Colombia in their struggle against injustice, inequality and discrimination, and actively contributes to the building of a national sex worker union. The group defends and promotes sex workers? human rights and aims to create choices and tools that allow sex workers to achieve a better quality of life. ASMUBULI builds the capacity of sex workers in advocacy, governance, democracy, gender and human rights, and implements projects that improve sex workers? access to health, education, housing and legal services. The group strategically builds partnerships to conduct more effective advocacy at the national level. With this grant, the organisation aims to organise a variety of capacity-building workshops sex work laws to sexual and reproductive health and more.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

Local, Subnational, National

English

This self-led organisation promotes the human rights of sex workers and develops programmes that address their diverse needs in Macedonia. STAR-STAR mobilises sex workers from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds who are working in different sectors of the sex industry, ranging from brothels to border highways. The group organises advocacy trainings for sex workers, monitors political parties’ views on sex work, and works to influence relevant laws, policies and practices. STAR-STAR is expanding its network with two additional branches, Star-East and Star-West, to better reach sex workers across the country.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

Local, Subnational, National

English

This sex worker-led organisation was the first sex workers’ collective in the Balkans and was legally registered in 2010. The group includes sex workers from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds to promote the human rights of all sex workers and address the diverse needs of sex workers. The group organises advocacy trainings for sex workers, monitors political parties’ views on sex work, and works to influence relevant laws, policies and practices.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

local, national, international

English

Sex workers in North Macedonia are facing numerous of social and legal problems, which make the community a vulnerable population, susceptive to various human rights violations and drive sex workers to the margins of society. In this context, STAR-STAR Skopje widely known as STAR-The First Sex Workers Collective in the Balkans is a sex workers? community-led collective mobilizing the sex workers to advocate for law reform in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ultimately secure the respect of sex workers? human rights and freedoms.

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)

Germany

National

English

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD) is a group that unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany. The group engages in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in sex work. Operating as a professional union, BesD not only amplifies the voices of sex workers in media and with policymakers, but also fights for improved access to information, training and greater solidarity among the sex worker community.

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)

Germany

Local, National

English

This group unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany to engage in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in the sex industry. Operating as a professional union, BesD amplifies the voices of sex workers in media, public debates and conversations with policymakers. The group provides information to sex workers and works to build greater solidarity among sex worker communities. In response to a recent law on mandatory registration for sex workers, the group is supporting migrant sex workers in Germany who are most affected by the change.

Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)

Germany

National

English

This group unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany to organise and engage in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in sex work. Operating as a professional union, BesD not only amplifies the voices of sex workers in media, public debates and conversations with policymakers, but also fights for improved access to information, training and greater solidarity among the sex worker community.

Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network

Canada

Local, National, International

English

This sex worker-led organisation based in Toronto provides support to and advocates for the rights of Asian and other migrant sex workers in several cities in Canada. Butterfly builds leadership skills and capacities of migrant sex workers through a peer-to-peer programme. Its members visit migrant sex workers in detention centres, prisons and court. The group provides legal support and interpretation services, assists with arranging bail and supports deported workers. Butterfly advocates for changes in anti-trafficking policy and immigration laws to make them less harmful for migrant sex workers.

Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network

Canada

Local, National, International

English

This sex worker-led organisation formed in 2014 as a support network for Asian and migrant sex workers in several cities of Canada. Through legal support, interpretation services and advocacy activities, the organisation fights for sex workers’ entitlement to respect, dignity, equality, basic human rights and justice, regardless of their gender, race and immigration status.

Coalicion de Organizaciones de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores Sexuales de Quito (La Calle en DisPuta)

Ecuador

Local, National, International

Spanish

Known also as La Calle en DisPuta, this new strategic coalition joins together four sex worker organisations that have existed for many years in Quito. The coalition unites sex workers of all genders and gives visibility to sex workers’ struggles against police violence and for the protection of their human rights. The coalition advocates for the labour rights of sex workers and local and national level and aims to create a labour union for sex workers. At regional level, La Calle en DisPuta is connected to the Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS).

Community United for Safety and Protection (CUSP)

United States

Local, National

English

Based in Alaska, this group of sex workers, people who have experienced trafficking and allies works to promote the safety and protection of all people involved in the sex industry in the US. The members include people from diverse genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. CUSP provides a place of safety and protection for sex workers where they can find support and get information about their rights. The group challenges harmful trafficking laws and aims for decriminalisation of sex work through direct lobbying, media outreach and legal action.

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.

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.

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Petubuhan Advokasi Masayrakat Terpinggir (PAMT)

Malaysia

Local, Subnational, National

English

Established in 2011, this organisation supports sex workers’ access to health care through peer education, condom distribution and referrals to health and social services. The group supports sex workers in setting up their own support groups, and aims to improve the living and working conditions of sex workers in the country. With the Red Umbrella Fund grant, PAMT will set up a crisis response team to support sex workers who face violence, exploitation, and arrest.

Philadelphia Red Umbrella Alliance (PhillyRUA)

United States

Local

English

Philadelphia Red Umbrella Alliancen was created in 2014 to promote sex workers’ rights through an intersectional lens in the city of Philadelphia in the United States of America. The organisation is dedicated to ending stigma and violence against sex workers through labour organising and advocacy.

Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)

Regional Network - Ecuador Based

Subnational, National, International

Spanish

This regional network, created in 2013 and based in Ecuador, unites 28 member organisations of sex workers of all genders in seven countries of Latin America. PLAPERTS offers trainings to its members to develop strategies and conduct political advocacy for the recognition of the labour and other human rights of sex workers. PLAPERTS reinforces local leadership and shares tools among its members to denounce the violations of sex workers’ rights in the challenging context of rising conservatism and violence in Latin America.