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.

Adarsha

India

Local

English

Established less than three years ago in 2009, this organization advocates for the rights of sex workers who are men and trans, working to reduce stigma and building alliances with human rights organisations. Adarsha supports sex workers to access health care and other social services.

Adarsha

India

Local

English

This community-led organisation of male and trans* sex workers supports sex workers to access health services, social housing schemes, an identity card and other social services. The group mobilizes sex workers and allies to improve laws, policies and practices around sex work, homosexuality, and gender identity.

Adarsha

India

Local

English

This organisation aims to increase social acceptance for men and transwomen sex workers and to secure their fundamental rights as citizens of India. Adarsha works primarily at the local level and contributes to national and international advocacy efforts. The group supports sex workers to access health and general social services through peer outreach work and referrals and builds sex workers’ leadership skills.

Adarsha

India

National

English

This organisation works to increase social acceptance for men and transwomen sex workers in India, and to secure their fundamental rights as citizens. Adarsha is active at the local level in Mysore and other districts in the state of Karnataka, and contributes to national advocacy efforts. The group supports sex workers to access health and general social services through peer outreach work and referrals, and builds sex workers’ leadership skills. Adarsha mobilises sex workers and allies to improve laws, policies and practices around sex work, homosexuality and gender identity.

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 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.

Aids Acodev Cameroun

Cameroon

Local

French

This association of sex workers mainly operates in Douala, Cameroon’s main industrial and harbor city. The group provides health and HIV information and services to sex workers of all genders. Aids Acodev reaches out to potential allies and the media to bring attention to the stigma, discrimination, and rights violations that sex workers face.

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.

Alianza Mexicana de Trabajadoras Sexuales (AMETS)

Mexico

Local

Spanish

Founded in 2017, this self-led group in Mexico City unites diverse women sex workers, including trans women and women working on the streets, in their fight against stigma and discrimination and for the recognition of sex work as work. With this grant, AMETS is organising workshops for sex workers on human rights, public health from a political perspective, access to justice and safety, and leadership. The groups distributes condoms and conducts peer outreach to promote HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health and rights among sex workers.

Alianza Por El Trabajo Sexual

El Salvador

local

Spanish

Alianza por el trabajo sexual defines its role in El Salvador as “working actively in the action for the defense of the rights of women sex workers, through the unification of the sector.” With this first grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to organise a variety of events, trainings, meetings and campaigns in line with this work. In the country, sex work is technically legal but municipal authorities create administrative offences making sex work more isolated and dangerous.

AMMAR Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina

Argentina

national

Spanish

AMMAR’s mission is to defend the human, social and labour rights of sex workers in Argentina. With a national reach of around 10,000 sex workers, the organisation is present in 14 provinces of the country through 18 branches in different locations all of which are run by sex workers. With this third grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation aims to provide food, medication, legal services and to implement workshops and visibility activities during the women’s march and cover some of its core costs.

AMMAR Córdoba (Associación de Mujeres Meretrices de Argentina delegación Córdoba)

Argentina

Local

Spanish

Led by women sex workers, this is a network in the province of Córdoba that combines community services for sex workers – like offering daycare, literacy courses, and health services – with political activism, such as advocating for the protection of sex workers’ labour rights and for the legal recognition of sex work as work.

AMMAR Córdoba (Associación de Mujeres Meretrices de Argentina delegación Córdoba)

Argentina

Local, Subnational

Spanish

This provincial level network of female and transgender sex workers combines community services tailored to the needs of sex workers (like a nursery, literacy courses, litigation) with political activism. They are a driving force behind a nation-wide campaign for the regulation of sex work in Argentina. Their sex worker friendly clinic provides comprehensive health services including condom distribution and HIV testing.

AMMAR Córdoba (Associación de Mujeres Meretrices de Argentina delegación Córdoba)

Argentina

Local, Subnational

Spanish

This group of women sex workers functions as a labour union for sex workers in the province of Cordoba in Argentina. AMMAR Córdoba advocates for the labour rights of all sex workers by networking and lobbying with local authorities and other government departments. The group combines political activism with providing tailored services to different groups of sex workers ranging from social support and sex worker friendly health services to economic empowerment or artistic expression workshops. The group engages with academia and recently published a book on sex work in Argentina.

And Soppeku (AS)

Senegal

Local, National

French

And Soppeku (meaning “together for a change in behaviour”) is a ten-year-old sex worker organisation that aims to improve sex workers’ knowledge of their rights and achieve legal reform in Senegal to ensure that sex work is respected as work. And Soppeku provides leadership training for sex workers and engages in advocacy with parliamentarians and other politicians. The group is comprised of women sex workers who live and work in the suburbs of Dakar and in the regions of Thies, Kaolack and Sédhiou.

Anonymous

ANON

Local, Subnational, National

English

ANSWER Detroit

United States

Local

English

This sex worker-led justice collective believes in the right of all people to choose to do sex work on their own terms. As such, this collective’s work focuses on power building and political education, advocacy, harm reduction and media and culture amongst others.

Ashraya

India

Local, Subnational

English

This community-based organisation in the Indian state of Karnataka was created in 2007 to address the specific needs of sex workers living with HIV. Ashraya provides a safe space for sex workers living with HIV to connect, access health and social services, and benefit from alternative income generating activities and other economic empowerment services. The group works with sex workers of all genders. Ashraya amplifies the voices of sex workers living with HIV in decision-making spaces and campaigns for legal reforms in India to improve the human rights of sex workers living with HIV.

Ashraya

India

Local, Subnational

English

This organisation was established in 2007 to support and represent sex workers living with HIV in India. Most of its members and activities are in the state of Karnataka. The group builds human rights awareness among its community and works with sex workers, health care providers and government officials to improve sex workers’ access to HIV and other health and social services. Ashraya works with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to improve access to housing and income supplements.

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.

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 Colectivo Flor de Azalea

Ecuador

local

Spanish

The Flor de Azalea Collective was created in 2002 from sex workers in Ecuador who felt the need to defend their human rights, raise their self-esteem, learn about their rights, protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and empower themselves. In a context marked by violence from many actors including the mafia, the organisation secured their first grant from Red Umbrella Fund to organise several workshops, provide alimentation packages, carry out commuincation campaigns and cover some of their core costs.

Asociacion de las Prostitutas del Estado de Piaui (APROSPI)

Brazil

Local, Subnational

English

This self-led group of women sex workers was created in 2008 to advocate for sex workers’ rights and work together with other social justice movements amongst others. With the grant from Red Umbrella Fund, the organisation will work on a documentary to raise the visibility of the realities faced by sex workers in the state of Piauí, Brazil.

Asociación de Mujeres ‘Las Golondrinas’

Nicaragua

Local

Spanish

Founded in 2004, this organisation works with 12 local groups of female and trans sex workers in different municipalities in central and northern Nicaragua. The group uses mass media to promote labour rights of sex workers and address stigma and discrimination. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will contribute to core costs of the organisation and enable it to conduct trainings on sexual health and human rights for sex workers, and launch a campaign to end violence against sex workers.

Asociación de Mujeres ‘Las Golondrinas’

Nicaragua

Local

Spanish

This sex worker group in the north of Nicaragua was founded in 2004. Golondrinas promotes the recognition of sex work as work through public campaigns and by building human rights knowledge and skills of women and trans sex workers. Considering the effects of the political crisis and high levels of violence against human rights defenders in the country, the group is prioritising building self care and peer support mechanisms.

Asociación de Mujeres Liquidámbar

El Salvador

Local

Spanish

In a country where violence against women sex workers is particularly high, this sex worker-led group devotes much of its time to activities for its community related to self-care, healing and overcoming experiences of violence. Liquidambar organises training opportunities for sex workers on human rights and builds lobbying skills. At a national level, the group works collectively with other sex workers’ groups in El Salvador to promote the human rights of sex workers.

Asociación de Mujeres Liquidámbar

El Salvador

Local

English

Asociación de Mujeres Liquidámbar organises training opportunities for sex workers on human rights and builds the advocacy skills of sex workers on advocacy with the aim to respond to the high levels of violence faced by women sex workers in El Salvador. The group also works collaboratively with other sex worker-led groups in the country to promote the human rights of sex workers nationally.

Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina (AMMAR)

Argentina

National

Spanish

This network advocates at national level and through its provincial branches for the human rights of sex workers in Argentina. With nearly 25 years of experience, the network has a strong presence in the sex work community and relatively high visibility among the general public. AMMAR was a founding member of RedTraSex, the Latin American and Caribbean Female Sex Workers Network. With this grant the network will hold an international convening of sex worker-led labour unions.