The Real Impact of the Swedish Model: Advocacy Toolkit

NSWP hopes that this advocacy toolkit will highlight the harms associated with this approach of criminalisation, both in relation to the simplistic and crude understandings of sex work and of sex workers that are used to justify the law, and in relation to the direct outcomes of the resulting legal framework of criminalising the purchase of sex. In contrast to claims that the Swedish model is a necessary and effective approach in protecting women from violence and exploitation, sex workers in Sweden note worrying consequences of the law in terms of their safety and wellbeing.

The advocacy toolkit will be an evolving set of documents. They will serve to continue to raise awareness of the outcomes of the law through the ongoing publishing of evidence-based fact sheets and advocacy tools, tools that will provide resources to sex workers, allies and researchers around the world to challenge widespread promotion of this detrimental legal and political approach to the regulation of sex work.

Year of publication:

2015

Trans Sex Work: Briefing Paper 09

The Trans Sex Work briefing paper focuses on the issues and needs identified by trans sex workers (TSW) as disclosed in NSWP forums including an online questionnaire and face-to-face focus groups. The issue of intersectionality is brought into focus with the aim of giving context to the community of TSW before looking at the needs and rights of trans sex workers. Legal situations are then discussed, noting how legislative systems can have an impact on the lives and work of TSW worldwide. Discussion then moves to look at the issues and needs of TSW, beginning with a discussion on violence before looking at how discrimination impacts access to education and employment, housing, justice, and appropriate health care services. The paper concludes by drawing attention to the need to support the advocacy and activism of TSW groups around the world in challenging the needs identified and offering recommendations for those who design and implement policy and programmes, and those who represent and work directly with TSW. The paper also includes examples of NSWP member groups’ efforts to mobilise communities of TSW to advocate for trans sex worker rights, showing activism that is being carried out by the community.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download briefing-paper-09-needs-and-rights-of-trans-sex-workers.pdf (873.91 KB)

Male Sex Work: Briefing Paper 08

The Male Sex Work briefing paper focuses on the main issues faced by male sex workers (MSW) globally and highlights some of the advocacy and activism efforts by male sex worker communities that have challenged these issues. The paper is intended for those who make policy, design and implement programmes, and work directly with MSW in the hope of increasing awareness and understanding of the multiple realities and needs of this community. This paper is also intended as an advocacy tool for NSWP member groups to utilise in their attempts to raise awareness across the world of the needs of MSW and advocate for their rights from the grassroots community level to global forums for change.

Year of publication:

2015

Media:

Download briefing-paper-08-needs-and-rights-of-male-sex-workers.pdf (633.49 KB)

The Needs and Rights of Male Sex Workers

This briefing paper was developed in line with the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) priority to highlight the needs and rights of male sex workers (MSW) and presents an overview of some of the main issues faced by MSW globally; it also highlights some of the advocacy and activism efforts by MSW communities that have challenged these issues. The paper is intended for those policymakers and those who design and implement programmes and work directly with MSW with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the multiple realities and needs of this community. This paper is also intended as an advocacy tool for NSWP member groups to utilise in their attempts to raise awareness across the world about the needs of MSW and to advocate for their rights from the grassroots community level to global forums for change.

Media:

Download Needs-Rights-MSWs-Nov-2014.pdf (636.17 KB)

Prevention and Treatment of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections for Sex Workers in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach

Sex workers in many places are highly vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections due to multiple factors, including large numbers of sex partners, unsafe working conditions and barriers to the negotiation of consistent condom use. Moreover, sex workers often have little control over these factors because of social marginalization and criminalized work environments. Alcohol, drug use, and violence in some settings may further exacerbate their vulnerability and risk.

The objective of this document is to provide technical recommendations on effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of HIV and other STIs among sex workers and their clients. The guidelines are designed for use by national public health officials and managers of HIV/AIDS and STI programmes, nongovernmental organizations including community and civil society organizations, and health workers. Regions and countries are encouraged to adapt these guidelines to support acceptable services for sex workers taking into account the epidemiological and social context. These guidelines may also be of interest to international funding agencies, the scientific media, health policy-makers and advocates.

Year of publication:

2012

Media:

Download Prevention-and-Treatment-SWs.pdf (445.36 KB)

‘SWIT’ – Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programs with Sex Workers (Policy Brief)

This tool, commonly abbreviated as ‘SWIT,’ is the product of collaboration among sex workers, service providers, researchers, government officials, and NGOs from around the world. Its development was guided by WHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS, NSWP, the World Bank, and development partners from the US, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The purpose of this tool is to describe approaches and principles to building programmes. Guidance is provided on how to implement the recommended health-care interventions for HIV prevention, treatment and care, how to manage programmes, and how to build the capacity of sex worker organizations. Throughout the document are case examples from programmes around the world, highlighting specific aspects related to sex worker programming that have worked well in their contexts. These case examples illustrate how an issue or challenge has been addressed, and to inspire ideas about approaches that could work in the reader’s own context.

The full-text document is also available.

Year of publication:

2013

Media:

Download Implementing-Comprehensive-HIV-SWs.pdf (855.29 KB)