Grantee-Partners Map

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.

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.

Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa

South Africa

Local, Subnational, National

English

This group strives for the recognition of sex work as work and for all sex workers to be treated with respect and dignity. Sisonke fosters solidarity among sex workers, provides educational support and legal services and advocates for better access to health and protection from violence. The Red Umbrella Fund grant contributes to the organisation’s progress towards becoming an independent and united movement, led by sex workers and for all sex workers across South Africa.

Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa

South Africa

Local, Subnational, National

English

This national network of sex workers strives for the decriminalisation of sex work and for all sex workers to be treated with respect and dignity. Sisonke fosters solidarity among sex workers and advocates for better access to health services and protection from violence. The group provides HIV and human rights information through peer outreach work, builds capacity of sex workers through training, and provides legal services. Sisonke strategically works in partnership with allied organisations to strengthen its influence and participates in relevant government spaces.

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.

Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men’s Health

Botswana

Subnational

English

This group of men sex workers works to improve sex workers’ access to adequate health care services, especially with regard to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, management of other sexually transmitted infections, and psychosocial support. PMCMH regularly contributes to research among sex workers and advocates for decriminalizing sex work decriminalisation nationally level. The group provides workshops for men sex workers to enhance their safer sex negotiation and financial management skills and increase their safety and security.

Tikondane CBO

Malawi

local, subnational

English

Selling sex is legal in Malawi. However, there is a law against “any common prostitute behaving in a disorderly or indecent manner in any public place” and vagrancy laws used against sex workers. In its work, Tikondane aims to support female sex workers by increasing access to quality healthcare, social and legal support, information and sustainable systems of livelihood. With this grant, Tikondane aims to organise sensitisation activities and develop information, education and communication materials for the community.

Women’s Network for Unity (WNU)

Cambodia

Local, Subnational

English

This sex workers’ collective documents rights violations as part of its campaigns for changing legislation and policy so that the human rights of sex workers can be protected. Through the Community Legal Service, WNU offers direct legal assistance to sex workers including counselling, legal advice, and representation.

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.

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.

Anonymous

ANON

Local, Subnational, National

English

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.

Sex Workers Network Bangladesh (SWNOB)

Bangladesh

Local, Subnational, National

English

This national network unites 29 member organisations representing sex workers of all genders and different localities in Bangladesh. The group aims to strengthen its member organisations by building their leadership capacities. SWNOB works with community leaders and the media to raise awareness about the human rights of sex workers, and takes action against brothel evictions and violence from law enforcement institutions. SWNOB advocates at the national level for the inclusion of sex workers in the country’s social security strategy

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.

Sangharsha Mahila Samuha (SMS)

Nepal

Local, Subnational

English

This women-led sex worker organisation in Bhaktapur District in the east of the Kathmandu Valley was set up in 2010 to promote the health and human rights of sex workers. The group works together with other organisations to improve access for sex workers to health services including HIV and STI treatment and safe abortion services. SMS will take action during the international 16 days of activism against gender based violence campaign to address violence against sex workers.

Public Association Shah-Aiym

Kyrgyzstan

Subnational, National

Russian

This emerging network aims to strengthen the voice of sex workers in public and policy debates in Kyrgyzstan by uniting sex workers from across the country. The network documents and speaks out against police violence. It also works to ensure that the existing law – which decriminalises sex work – is not undermined by new policies and programmes which are aimed at ending sex trafficking, which often have a negative effect on the rights of sex workers.

Silver Rose

Russia

Subnational, National

Russian

Silver Rose is a nation-wide peer support group of sex workers with representation in eight different cities across Russia. It provides health, psychological and legal services and support for sex workers. They advocate for the decriminalisation of sex work in Russia and the abolition of the administrative penalty on prostitution.

Association for Support of Marginalized Workers STAR-STAR

Macedonia

Local, Subnational

English

This sex workers’ rights organisation in Skopje mobilises sex workers from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, and working in different sectors of the sex work industry. The group campaigns against discrimination against sex workers, including men and trans* sex workers who face high levels of state harassment. To ensure that sex workers are visible and present in policy development and other decision-making spaces, STAR-STAR works closely with other civil society groups, including those working in the LGBTIQ, health and HIV sectors.

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.

The Red Edition – Migrant Sex Work Group

Austria

Subnational, National

English

Established in 2015, The Red Edition unites sex workers of all genders, identities and ethnic backgrounds with a particular focus on migrant sex workers. The group conducts regular community meetings and outreach activities. The Red Edition advocates for the recognition of sex work as work among policy makers and the labour union in Austria. With this grant The Red Edition will explore social entrepreneurship opportunities to enhance the sustainability of the group in the future.

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.

Sex Work Polska

Poland

Local, Subnational, National

English

Formed in 2014, this organisation provides services to sex workers, networking opportunities and carries out advocacy activities. The organisation works with a particular focus on outreach and the legal environment and its impact on sex workers in Poland.

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.

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.

Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina (AMMAR) (AMMAR)

Argentina

Subnational, National

Spanish

This national network advocates at the national level for the regulation of sex work in Argentina and through its provincial branches across the country. It has been active for more that 20 years and is recognised as a strong, political and influential organization that campaigns with high reach among the community and general society. AMMAR is a founding member of Redtrasex, the Latin American and Caribbean Female Sex Workers Network.

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.

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.

Asociación de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales Girasoles Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

Asociación de Trabajadoras Sexuales Trans de Quito (Aso TST de Quito)

Ecuador

Local, Subnational

Spanish

This group was formed by and works for trans street sex workers in Quito, the capital city. The group aims to improve the working conditions on the streets for trans sex workers who are vulnerable to harassment and violence. Aso TST Quito organises frequent meetings with local police, mediates in conflicts, conducts regular outreach work on the streets, and provides health services and various other forms of support to trans sex workers. The group cooperates with other sex worker organisations in Latin America to promote the decriminalisation of sex work through the sex worker network Plaperts.

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.

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.

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.

Asociación Los Caprichos de Goover

Ecuador

Local, Subnational

Spanish

Founded in 2004, Asociación Los Caprichos de Goover sex worker-led group in Quito, Ecuador, unites diverse male sex workers by providing a space where they can come together and ensuring the representation of male sex workers in the sex workers’ rights movement. With this grant, the group will organise a training on sex workers’ rights bringing together sex workers of all genders and decision-makers.

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.

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.

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.

Centro de Informacion para la Prevencion, Movilizacion y Asesoramiento (CIPMAC)

Brazil

Local, Subnational

Spanish

This sex worker-led group in the State of Paraiba in in the north-east of Brazil was set up in 1987. CIPMAC speaks out on the right to self-organize, sex workers’ rights and social justice. With this grant the group will organise workshops on human rights, organise webinars, strengthen its organisation and produce communication materials.

Red de Mujeres Unidas por Nuestros Derechos (REDMUDE)

Honduras

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

Red de Mujeres Unidas por Nuestros Derechos works in Honduras to promote the health and rights of sex workers. To do so, the organisation has coordinated actions with health and justice workers and aims to use its grant from Red Umbrella Fund to continue this work, furhter build the capacity of sex workers to carry out this project, and map relevant organisations.

Red por el Reconocimiento de lxs Trabajadorxs Sexuales (RxRTS)

Argentina

Local, Subnational, National

Spanish

Red por el Reconocimiento de lxs Trabajadorxs Sexuales’s mission is to promote new strategies throughout Argentina to demand and develop public policies for the protection of sex workers’ rights. Formed in 2012, the organisation has been crucial in organising relief for sex workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and took part in advocacy campaigns at Latin American level.

Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)

United States

Local, Subnational

English

This New York-based group organises theatre, storytelling and memoir writing programmes in which sex workers of all genders share experiences with a wide audience to reduce stigma and fight discrimination. The group campaigns for improvements in legislation, such as the ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ campaign, which aims to ban the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution-related offenses. The group builds the leadership skills and capacity of sex workers through trainings that enable them to run their own advocacy campaigns.