Grantee-Partners Map

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 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.

African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)

Regional Network - Kenya Based

International

English

Created in 2009, this regional network unites 75 sex worker groups from 28 countries and aims to expand its membership to include all countries in Africa. It provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local groups that work to improve sex workers’ access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes sex workers of all genders. ASWA represents sex workers’ interest in regional and international processes and platforms.

African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)

Regional Network - Kenya Based

International

English

Created in 2009, this regional network based in Kenya unites 100 sex worker groups from 33 countries in Africa and aims to expand its membership to include all countries of the continent. ASWA provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local groups that work to improve sex workers’ access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes sex workers of all genders. ASWA represents the interests of sex workers in regional and international debates and platforms.

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.

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Regional Network - Thailand based

International

English

This regional network unites 54 sex worker organisations in 22 countries with the aim to improve the health and rights of sex workers of all genders in the region. APNSW trains its members on human rights and advocacy strategies, and lobbies regional inter-governmental bodies and UN agencies for improved policies and programmes that affect sex workers. This grant enables the network to strengthen its organisational financial systems and skills to enable it to grow and increase its future fundraising opportunities.

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Regional Network - Thailand based

International

English

This regional network unites 58 sex worker organisations in 23 countries to promote the human rights of sex workers of all genders in Asia and the Pacific. APNSW conducts advocacy with regional intergovernmental bodies and the United Nations and trains its members on human rights, setting up sex worker-led legal services and developing advocacy strategies. The grant will enable APNSW to support its members in the areas of organisational development and financial management.

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Regional Network - Thailand based

International

English

This regional network has 36 active organisational members in 28 countries that work together to promote the human rights of sex workers of all genders in Asia and the Pacific. APNSW conducts advocacy with regional intergovernmental bodies and the United Nations. The network provides training and technical support to its members on human rights, quality HIV and health services, setting up sex worker-led legal services and developing advocacy strategies.

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Regional Network - Thailand based

International

English

This regional network has 32 active organisational members in 23 countries that work together to promote the human rights of sex workers of all genders in Asia and the Pacific. APNSW conducts advocacy with regional intergovernmental bodies and the United Nations. The network provides training and technical support to its members on human rights, quality HIV and health services, setting up sex worker-led legal services and developing advocacy strategies.

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Regional Network - Thailand based

International

English

This regional network has 32 active organisational members in 23 countries that work together to promote the human rights of sex workers of all genders in Asia and the Pacific. APNSW conducts advocacy with regional intergovernmental bodies and the United Nations. The network provides training and technical support to its members on human rights, and quality HIV and health services, sets up sex worker-led legal services, and develops advocacy strategies.

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.

Best Practices Policy Project (BPPP)

United States

National, International

English

This advocacy organisation is led by sex workers and dedicated to supporting sex workers’ rights across the United States. BPPP produces materials for policy spaces, addresses research and academic questions, provides organizations and advocates with technical assistance and engages in rights-based campaigns.

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.

Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC)

Regional Network - Guyana Based

International

English

This network brings together sex workers from organisations across the Caribbean with the aim to promote the health and human rights of sex workers of all genders in the region. CSWC trains its members to become peer educators on HIV and human rights, and builds leadership and advocacy skills.

Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC)

Regional Network - Guyana Based

National, International

English

Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC) is a network that brings together sex workers from organisations across the Caribbean with the aim to promote the health and human rights of sex workers of all genders in the region. CSWC trains its members to become peer educators on HIV and human rights, and builds leadership and advocacy skills.

Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC)

Regional Network - Guyana Based

National, International

English

Created in 2008, Caribbean Sex Work Coalition brings together its sex worker-led member organisations from 6 countries across the Caribbean. The network implements two strategies: advocacy for the promotion of sex workers’ rights and capacity building of its members at national and local levels. With this grant, the networks will organise a training for sex workers from the region to increase their skills on sex worker-led service delivery.

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).

Coalition Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre pour le travail du sexe (CAFOC-TS)

Regional Network - Senegal Based

International

French

Formed in 2015, this network of 21 sex worker-led organisations in 14 countries in West and Central Africa focuses on building the leadership of sex workers in Francophone Africa. CAFOC-TS works to harmonise sex workers’ rights advocacy in the region and to document and share the successes of its members. The network collaborates with the African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) and Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) to better address the specific needs of Francophone sex workers.

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.

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.

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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.

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.

Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)

Regional Network - Ecuador Based

Local, Subnational, National, International

Spanish

Sex work is criminalised in most Latin American countries and some countries implement restrictive legal systems. As a regional network, PLAPERTS unites sex worker-led organisations working with sex workers of all genders in 11 Latin American countries. Formed in Peru in 2013, the regional network is now based in Ecuador. The network is a space to share information and provides capacity building to its members as well as advocates for the fulfilment of sex workers’ human rights. With this grant, the network will implement a virtual training on social protection and carry out campaigns demystifying sex work and promoting the recognition of sex work as work in the Latin American context.

Plataforma Latinoamericana de Personas que Ejercen Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)

Regional Network - Ecuador based

local, national, international

Spanish

Sex work is criminalised in most Latin American countries and some countries implement restrictive legal systems. As a regional network, PLAPERTS unites sex worker-led organisations working with sex workers of all genders in 13 Latin American countries. Formed in Peru in 2013, the regional network is now based in Ecuador. The network is a space to share information and provides capacity building to its members as well as advocates for the fulfilment of sex workers? human rights. With this third grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the network will develop its monitoring and evaluation plan, organise virtual workshops, carry out advocacy activities and publications and cover some of its core costs.

Public Association Shah-Aiym

Regional Network - Kyrgyzstan Based

National, International

Russian

This network unites sex workers from across Kyrgyzstan and increasingly also from neighbouring countries to build peer support structures and amplify the voices of sex workers in public and policy debates. Shah-Aiym documents rights violations and builds capacity of sex workers on leadership, advocacy and safety and security. In Kyrgyzstan, Shah-Aiym aims to protect existing legislation that decriminalises sex work while speaking out against police violence against sex workers.

Public Association Shah-Aiym

Regional Network - Kyrgyzstan Based

National, International

Russian

This network unites sex workers from across Kyrgyzstan and neighbouring countries (mainly Tajikistan and Russia) to build peer support structures and amplify the voices of sex workers in public and policy debates. Shah-Aiym documents rights violations and builds the capacity of sex workers on leadership, advocacy, safety and security. In Kyrgyzstan, Shah-Aiym aims to protect existing legislation that decriminalises sex work while speaking out against police violence against sex workers. In Tajikistan, Shah Aiym builds the capacity of sex workers to enable the creation of an independent national organisation.

Red de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales de América Latina y El Caribe (REDTRASEX)

Regional Network - Argentina Based

International

Spanish

This 20-year-old regional network of sex worker-led groups in Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean has members in 14 countries and reaches 17,000 sex workers. Its mission is to support national sex workers’ organisations in their fight towards recognition of sex workers’ rights. RedTraSex organises trainings of its members on political advocacy, participates in national and international advocacy spaces, runs media campaigns, and produces and disseminates evidence-based material to promote sex workers’ rights.

Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP)- USA

United States

Local, National, International

English

This national social justice network is dedicated to promoting the human rights of sex workers and their communities. The network consists of 27 local chapters that vary in size and include both sex workers and allied activists. SWOP-USA focuses much of its attention on ending stigma and violence against sex workers through education and advocacy. The network is active at local levels through its SWOP chapters, as well as at the national level. Through a dedicated website and related communications, SWOP actively encourages and supports sex workers in the United States and worldwide to honour December 17 as the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)

Regional Network - Hungary Based

International

English

This regional network unites sex workers and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the struggle to promote the human rights and improve the quality of life of sex workers. It provides a joint advocacy platform for sex workers’ voices in regional and national debates on health, labour rights, and safety for sex workers of all genders and exposes violence against sex workers.

Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)

Regional Network - Hungary Based

International

English

Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) is a regional network that unites sex workers and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It provides a joint advocacy platform for sex workers’ voices in regional and national debates on health, labour rights, and safety for sex workers of all genders and exposes violence against sex workers. Through training and a mentorship programme, SWAN builds capacity of sex workers to use available tools and resources in their community mobilisation and advocacy efforts.

Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)

Regional Network - Hungary Based

International

English

This regional network unites sex workers of all genders and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. SWAN provides a joint advocacy platform for the voices of sex workers in regional and national debates on health, labour rights and safety for sex workers. The network exposes violence against sex workers. Through training and a mentorship programme, SWAN builds the capacity of sex workers to effectively use available tools and resources in their community mobilisation and advocacy efforts.

Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)

Regional Network - Hungary Based

International

English

This network unites sex worker-led organisations and their allies in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The network works to create societies where sex work is decriminalised and empowered sex workers can live free from violence, stigma and discrimination. SWAN provides capacity building to sex worker-led groups to advocate for their rights, support community mobilisation efforts and provides a space for its members to share resources and experiences.