List of sex worker organizations
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
This is a list of sex worker organizations which advocate for sex workers' rights. Almost all sex worker organizations around the world favour the decriminalization of sex work, and have that goal as a primary objective. In locations where sex work is not criminalized, sex worker movements advocate for access to other kinds of rights such as unemployment, changes in zoning, and working to eliminate the social stigma attached to sexual labor.[1][2][3][4][5]
International
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) | 2009 | .svg){kind=small} Africa | Founded in Johannesburg, South Africa; based in Nairobi, Kenya. |
| Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW) | 1994 | .svg){kind=small} Asia | Based in Bangkok, Thailand. |
| Caribbean Sex Workers Coalition (CSWC) |  Caribbean | Based in Berbice, Guyana.[6] | |
| Caribbean Vulnerable Communities | 2005 | Caribbean | Based in Kingston, Jamaica.[7][8] |
| East Africa Sex Workers Alliance (EASWA) | 2018 | East Africa | Coalition of sex workers organizations, networks, and groups in East Africa.[9] Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.[10] |
| Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) | 1990 |  World | Based in Edinburgh, Scotland. |
| European Sex Workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA) | 1985 | .svg){kind=small} Europe.svg){kind=small} Central Asia | Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Previously known as the International Committee for Prostitutes' Rights (ICPR, 1985–2005) and the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE, 2005–2021). Published the World Charter for Prostitutes' Rights at its 1985 founding.[11] |
| Plataforma LatinoAmerica de Personas que EjeRcen el Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS) | 2014 | .svg){kind=small} Latin America | Based in Machala, Ecuador. |
| Red Umbrella Fund (RUF) | 2012 | World | Amsterdam-based fund making grants to sex workers' rights groups worldwide.[12] |
| Sex Trade Workers Industrial Union 690 | 1995 | World | Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) based in Chicago, United States. |
| Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (SWAN) | 2006 | .svg){kind=small} Eurasia | |
| TAMPEP (European Network for HIV/STI Prevention and Health Promotion among Migrant Sex Workers)[13] | 1993 | Europe | Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Hosted from Helsinki, Finland. |
Supportive
[edit]These international organizations are not primarily led by sex workers, nor do their activities primarily concern sex work, but nonetheless, they have dedicated a significant portion of their efforts to advocating for sex workers' rights, including decriminalization. Literature describes such supportive organizations as "allies".[3][5]
| Name and abbreviation | Support since | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesty International (AI) | 2015 | World | London-based human rights organisation that has advocated for decriminalisation of consensual sex work since 2015.[14][15] |
| Commissioner for Human Rights | 2024 | Europe | Institution of the Council of Europe (CoE), stated in a 2024 Human Rights Comment that sex work should be decriminalised.[16] |
| Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) | 1994 (start) | World | Bangkok-based anti-trafficking coalition, has distinguished between sex work and trafficking "since its inception".[17] |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) | 2014 (at least) | World | New York City-based human rights organisation that has advocated for decriminalisation of voluntary sex work since at least 2014.[18]: 47 [19][20] |
| ILGA World | 2019 | World | Geneva-based international coalition of over 1,500 LGBTI organisations, called for the decriminalisation of sex work in 2019.[21] |
| International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) | 2023 | World | Geneva-based international human rights NGO of jurists. Principle 17 of The 8 March Principles (2023) stipulated decriminalising sex work.[22] |
| La Strada International (LSI) | 1995 | Europe | Amsterdam-based anti-trafficking organisation, has decriminalisation as a "strategic focus area".[23] |
| The Lancet | 2014 (at least) | World | Global medical journal, at least since its 2014 series "HIV and sex workers".[24] |
| UNAIDS | 2012 | World | UN program to counter the HIV/AIDS pandemic, per the 2012 new WHO guidelines.[25] |
| United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) | 2012 | World | UN agency for reproductive and maternal health, per the 2012 new WHO guidelines.[25] |
| UN Working Group on the issue of Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice (WGDAW) | 2016 | World | Women's rights experts at the Human Rights Council, recommended decriminalising sex work in April 2016 report.[26] |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 2012 | World | UN agency for international public health, per the 2012 new WHO guidelines.[25] |
Africa
[edit]Angola
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSC NGO |  Angola | Works with sex workers, their clients, and brothel owners. Based in Luanda.[27] | |
| Doces Para Sempre-SW | Angola | Works with sex workers, their families, clients, and brothel owners. Based in Luanda.[28] |
Benin
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association Solidarite |  Benin | Based in Cotonou, the organisation works with sex workers, their families and clients.[29] |
Botswana
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men's Health | 2011[30] |  Botswana | Male sex worker organisation.[31] |
| Sisonke Botswana | Botswana | Sex worker led organisation based in Gaborone.[32] |
Burkina Faso
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association Kamb béog Neere Yinga |  Burkina Faso | Sex worker led organisation based in Ouagadougou.[33] | |
| Association Yerelon+ | 1999[34] | Burkina Faso | The organisations works with female and TS sex workers, their families and clients. Based in Ouagadougou.[35] |
Burundi
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Women Initiatives for Self-Empowerment (RWISE) | 2016 |  Burundi | Based in Cankuzo, the organisation works with sex workers in rural areas.[36] |
| Solidarite Pour Les Droits Des Travailleuses De Sexe | Burundi | Based in Bujumbura.[37] |
Cameroon
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aids-ACODEV-Cameroon | 2009 | Douala | The organisation work with female, male and transvestite sex workers, their clients and children of sex workers[38] Originally named Acodes Cameroon Sex Workers.[39] |
| Alcondoms Cameroun |  Cameroon | Based in Yaounde, the organisation works towards reducing the risks associated with drug use.[40] | |
| Avenir Jeune de l'Ouest (AJO) | West Region | Based in Bafoussam, the organisation works with female, male and transgender sex workers[41] | |
| CAMEF Cameroon | 2010 | Southwest Region[42] | The organisation works with male, female and transgender sex workers and is based in Limbe.[43] |
| Psychologues Du Monde Afrique | Cameroon | Branch of the international NGO Psychologues Du Monde[44] and based in Bafoussam.[45] |
Central African Republic
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMOJA | 2016 | South Ubangi | Organisation led by and for male sex workers in rural areas.[46] |
Democratic Republic of the Congo
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHUSADEC (Action Humanitaire pour la Sante et Developpement Communautaire) |  Eastern DRC[47] | Based in Bukavu.[48] UNODC[49] and PNMLS[50] partner. | |
| ALCIS (Action pour la lutte Contre L'ignorance du SIDA) | 1999 | DRC | Based in Bukavu.[51] UNAIDS Red Ribbon Award winner.[52] |
| Débout Fille | DRC | Based in Baraka.[53] | |
| DRC AID | DRC | Based in Bukavu.[54] | |
| FERAPAD - Femmes Rurales Amies de la Paix et du Développement | 2008[55] | Fizi Territory | The organisation works with sex workers who work in rural and mining areas.[56] |
| GFV-VIH (Groupement Des Femmes Vivant Avec Le VIH) | Eastern DRC | Based in Bukavu, the organisation is led by and provides support for sex workers who are HIV positive.[57] | |
| HODSAS (Homme Pour le Droit et La Sante Sexuelle) | DRC | Led by and provides support to gay and transgender sex workers.[58] | |
| Mouvement Pour la Promotion du Respect et Egalite des Droits et Sante (MOPREDS) | DRC | Based in Goma and work with male and female sex workers.[59] | |
| Solidarite Des Jeunes Filles Pour L'education Et L'integration Socioprofessionnelle (SOJFEP) | 2011[60] | Democratic Republic of the Congo | The organisation works with young sex workers in mining areas.[61] |
| UMANDE | Eastern DRC | Based in South Kivu and work with female and transgender sex workers.[62] |
Ethiopia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikat Charitable Association | 2006 |  Ethiopia | Based in Addis Ababa,[63] the organisation was originally named Nikat Women's Association.[64] |
Ghana
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAFAF (Community And Family Aid Foundation) | 2006[65] |  Ghana | Based in Accra.[66] |
Kenya
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievers Plight Self Help Group | Kisumu | Sex worker led organisation in the slum suburb of Nyalenda.[67] | |
| Arms To Lean On (ATLO) | 2020 | Embu | The organisation works with male sex workers and was born out of the MARPS programme of the University of Nairobi.[68] |
| Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Programme | 1998[69] |  Kenya | Sex worker led organisation based in Nairobi that work with female, male, lesbian and transgender sex workers.[70] |
| Coast Sex Workers Alliance (COSWA-Kenya) | Coast Province | Based in Mombasa.[71] | |
| HOYMAS (Health Options for Young Men on HIV/AIDS/STI) | 2009 | Kenya | Male sex work led organisation[72] that is an Aidfonds partner.[73] |
| Jeunes Feministes Engagees Pour Le Changement | Kenya | Based in Malindi.[74] | |
| KESWA (Kenya Sex Workers Alliance) | 2010 | Kenya | Umbrella body of sex workers organizations in Kenya.[75] |
| Kisauni Peer Educators | Mombasa | Female, male and trans-gender sex worker organisation in the Kisauni suburb of Mombasa.[76] | |
| Kisumu Male Sex Workers Organisation (KIMASWO) | Western Province[77] | Male Sex Workers Organization based in Kisumu.[78] | |
| Muamko Mpya CBO | 2016 | Kilifi County | Based in Kilifi.[79] |
| Queer Sex Workers Initiative For Refugees (QSWIK) | Kenya | Based in Nairobi, the sex worker led organisation works with LGBTQ sex workers.[80] | |
| Sisters of Majengo | Nairobi | Led and ran by sex workers,[81] the organisation works with young female sex workers, ages 18–25, in the Majengo suburb of Nairobi.[82] | |
| Survivors Organisation | 1999 |  Busia County | Sex worker led organisation based in Busia. Initially called Muungano.[83][84] |
| Youth Alliance for Change Kenya | Kakamega County | Works with young male sex workers at risk of contracting HIV[85] |
Malawi
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Hope Malawi | Zomba | Local organisation in Zomba.[86][87] | |
| Community Health Rights Advocacy (CHeRA) | 2017 |  Malawi | Lilongwe based NGO that works with male sex workers.[83][88] |
| FSWA (Female Sex Workers Association) | 2016[89] | Malawi | Based in Lilongwe,[90] the organisation has 120,000 members across the nation.[91] |
| Ukhondo Services Foundation | 2006 | Karonga | Local organisation in Karonga[92][93] |
Mali
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DANAYA SO | 1994[94] |  Mali | Based in Bamako, the organisation has 3,800 members in six cities.[95] |
| Tile Coura | Mali | Tile Coura (The New Sun) is based in Bamako and works with female sex workers, clients and families and children of sex workers.[96] |
Morocco
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Layalat |  Morocco | Trans Sex worker led organisation based in Marrakech.[97] |
Mozambique
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associação Tiyane Vavassate | 2011[98] |  Mozambique | Sex worker led organisation based in Maputo.[99] |
Namibia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namibian Sex Workers Alliance |  Namibia | Umbrella body of sex worker organizations in Namibia. Based in Walvisbay.[100] |
Nigeria
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| APYIN (Association of Positive Youths Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria) |  Nigeria | Based in Abuja.[101] | |
| CiSHRWIN | Nigeria | Based in Abuja, the organisation works with female sex workers and their clients.[102] | |
| Hope Empowerment For Good Health Support Initiative | Nigeria | Sex worker led organisation based in Awka.[103] | |
| National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (NANP) | Nigeria | ||
| Nigeria Sex Workers Association - Precious Jewels | Nigeria | Association of sex worker led organisations. Based in Abuja.[104] | |
| NNSWP (Nigerian Network of Sex Work Projects) | Nigeria | [105] | |
| Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative | 2011 | Nigeria | First sex worker led organisation in the country, based in Lagos. Originally called WOPI.[106][107] |
Rwanda
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FADA | 2015[108] |  Rwanda | Sex worker led organisation based in Kigali.[109] |
Senegal
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiraay |  Senegal | Based in Dakar.[110] |
South Africa
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work ("Asijiki Coalition") | 2015 |  South Africa | National coalition of sex worker organisations and supportive organisations. |
| Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) | 1996 | South Africa | Located in Cape Town.[111][112] |
| Sisonke | 2003 | South Africa | Cape Town based sex worker led organisation with offices in 6 provences based in partnership organisations.[113][114] |
| SistaazHood | 2010 | Cape Town | Peer led support group for trans women sex workers.[115] |
South Sudan
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byabyose | 2015 |  South Sudan | Sex worker led organisation that works with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) sex workers and sex workers living with HIV.[116] |
Tanzania
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Initiative Organisation (BIO) |  Zanzibar | Stone Town based organisation[117] that works with the Zanzibar Aids Commission (ZAC).[118] | |
| CHESA Community Health Education Services & Advocacy |  Tanzania | Sex worker led organisation based in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam.[119] The organisation was banned by the Government in 2017 for "promoting homosexuality".[120] | |
| TACEF Tanzania Community Empowerment Foundation | 2013 | Tanzania | Sex worker led organisation based in Dar es Salaam.[121] |
| Tanzania Sex Workers Alliance (TASWA) | 2015 | Tanzania | Umbrella organisation for sex worker projects in Tanzania[122] based in Dar es Salaam.[123] |
| Women With Dignity (WWD) | Tanzania | Based in Dar es Salaam.[124] |
Togo
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association Femme Amazone (AFAZ) |  Lomé[125] | Founded by activist Yves Kgube.[126] |
Uganda
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) | 2015 |  Uganda | Based in Kampala.[127] Branches in Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso, Nakasongola, Masindi, Hoima, Gulu, Lira, Arua, Luuka, Bugiri, Tororo-Malaba, Busia, Buvuma, Kalangala, Mbale, Soroti, Buikwe, Mbarara, Kabale-Katuna, Kabarole, Kasese, Kamwenge, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo and Bunyangabo.[128] |
| Lady Mermaid's Bureau | 2002 | Uganda | Based in Kampala.[129] First sex worker organization in Uganda[130] and became sex worker led in 2013.[131] |
| OGERA Uganda (Organization For Gender Empowerment and Rights Advocacy) | Uganda | Based in Kampala with a main focus on LBQ and Urban Refugee female sex workers.[132] | |
| Rainbow Mirrors Uganda | 2015 | Uganda | Trans women sex worker led group based in Kampala.[133] |
| Rural Movement Initiative (RUMI) | 2013 | Rural Mbale District | Based in Mbale.[134] |
| SLUM - Serving Lives Under Marginalization | Wakiso District[135] | Based in Wakiso.[136] | |
| Trans Youth Initiative-Uganda | 2017[137] | Western Region | Based in Mbarara, the organisation works mainly with rural young transgender and gender non-conforming sex workers.[138] |
| Transgender Equality Uganda | 2011[139] | Uganda | Kampala based organisation that is led by, and works with transgender women sex workers.[140] |
| Uganda Harm Reduction Network | 2011[141] | Uganda | Based in Kampala, work with People Who Use and Inject Drugs (PWUIDs).[142] |
| Uganda Network for Sex Work -Led Organisations (UNESO) | Uganda | Umbrella network of sex worker led organizations in Uganda.[143] | |
| Women's organisation network for human rights advocacy (WONETHA) | 2008[144] | Uganda | Sex worker-led organisation[145] based in Kampala.[146] They are an Aidfonds partner.[144] |
| Women Arise For Change | Uganda | Female sex worker-led organization based in Kampala that works with refugee, bisexual and lesbian sex workers.[147] | |
| Invisible Dots Uganda (IDU) | 2021 | Uganda | Based in Hoima with a main focus on Key Affected Population (KAP). IDU's mission is to end human rights abuses against the girl child, women with disabilities and female sex workers in their diversities within Uganda. IDU is committed to address stigma and discrimination linked to gender, sex work and physical disabilities though advocacy and promotion of human rights for equitable access to health services and social security [148] |
Zambia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educating Girls and Young women for Development |  Zambia | Based in Lusaka.[149] | |
| Engender Rights Centre for Justice (ERCJ) | Lusaka and surrounds | Based in Lusaka.[98] | |
| Focus on Marginalized Women in our Society Charity | North-Western Province | Based in Solwezi.[150] | |
| Ombre | Zambia | Sex worker led group based in Lusaka.[151] | |
| VIVONS | 2015 | Kitwe | Led by, and for, LGBT sex workers.[152] |
| Zambia Sex Workers Alliance | 2018 | Zambia | National chapter of the African Sex Workers Alliance.[153] Based in Lusaka.[154] |
Zimbabwe
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pow Wow |  Zimbabwe | Sex worker led collective[155] based in Bulawayo that is an Aidsfond partner.[156] | |
| Space for marginalised Groups in Diversity in Zimbabwe Trust | 2016[157] | Zimbabwe | Based in Masvingo, the organisation works with transgender sex workers.[158] |
| Zimbabwe Rainbow Community | 2018[159] | Zimbabwe | Sex worker led organization that works with male sex workers and their families, partners, friends and clients.[160] |
| ZIMSWA | 2017 | Zimbabwe | Based in Bulawayo, the organisation works in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.[161] |
Asia
[edit]Bangladesh
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARC - HIV/AIDS Research and Welfare Centre |  Bangladesh | Sex worker led group based in Dhaka with 5,000 member throughout Bangladesh.[162] | |
| SWN – Sex Workers Network | Bangladesh | Sex worker led national network.[163][164] |
Cambodia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Network for Unity | 2002 |  Cambodia | Based in Phnom Penh.[165][166] |
China
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCMC:Shanghai CSW & MSM Center | 2004[167] | Shanghai | The organisation provides support, advice and health testing to sex workers.[168] |
| Yunnan Parallel (机构名称：云南平行) | Yunnan Province | Based in Kunming.[169] |
East Timor
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $carlet Timor Collective | 2009 |  East Timor | National sex worker collective based in Dili.[170] |
Hong Kong
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Blue | 2005 |  Hong Kong | The organisation works with male and transgender sex workers.[171] |
| Zi Teng | 1996 | Hong Kong | The organisation engages in outreach work and provides of legal, occupational safety and health information to sex workers.[172] |
India
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AINSW - All India Network of Sex Workers |  India | Network of sex workers organisations based in New Delhi,[173] with office holders in 13 states.[174] | |
| Ashodaya Samithi | 2004[175] |  Karnataka | Active in six districts of Karnataka.[176] |
| ASTITVA Trust | Udaipur district, Rajasthan | Led by transgender sex workers and LGBT activists.[177] | |
| Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) | 1992 | West Bengal | Collective of 65,000 sex workers.[178] The cultural wing, Komal Gandhar,[179] produces plays based on the experiences of sex workers.[180] |
| GAURAV (Greater Action for Unity Rights Advocacy & Visibility) | 2010 |  Maharashtra | Works with male sex workers[181] in Mumbai, Aurangabad and Nagpur.[182] |
| NNSW (National Network of Sex Workers) | 1997 | India | Network of sex worker organisations and supporting NGOs based in Chennai[183] with 50,000 members.[184] |
| SANGRAM (Sampada Grameen Mahila Sanstha) | 1992 | Maharashtra and Karnataka[185] | Based in Sangli district.[186] |
| VAMP (VESHYA ANYAY MUKTI PARISHAD) | 1996 | Maharashtra and Karnataka[187] | Based in Sangli district.[188] |
Indonesia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPSI (Organisasi Perubahan Sosial Indonesia) |  Indonesia | National network of sex workers based in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.[189] |
Japan
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex Worker and Sexual Health (SWASH) | 1999 |  Japan | Based in Osaka, SWASH opposes slavery and exploitation, researches the sex work industry and seeks to empower sex workers.[190][191] |
Kazakhstan
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Association "Amelia" |  Kazakhstan | Sex worker led organization based in Taldykorgan.[192] | |
| Taldikorgan Fund (ОФ «Талдыкорганский региональный фонд содействия занятости», социальное бюро «КОВЧЕГ») | Kazakhstan | [193] |
Kyrgyzstan
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Таис Плюс / Tais Plus | 1997 |  Chuy Region | Based in Bishkek.[194][195] |
Malaysia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PT Foundation Sex Worker Programme | 1992 | Klang Valley | Based in Kuala Lumpur,[196] the organisation provides support to those impacted by HIV and AIDS in the Klang Valley conurbation. The programme is part of the PT Foundation.[197] |
Mongolia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Ladies |  Mongolia | NGO that promotes health care for sex workers.[163][198] |
Myanmar
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aye Myanmar Association (AMA) | 2009 |  Myanmar | Established as Aids Myanmar Association National Network of Sex Work Projects in 2009 as a "Targeted Outreach Program" (TOP) run by Population Services International (PSI). The organisation became independent in 2012 and renamed as Aye Myanmar Association.[199] Based in Yangon.[200] |
| SWIM (Sex Workers in Myanmar) | Myanmar | The organisation is in partnerships with Myanmar positive Women Network, Myanmar Positive Group, MSM network, IDU network, National NGO Network, Myanmar CSO partners, UNFPA, UNDP and UNAIDS[201] |
Nepal
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagriti Mahila Maha Sangh (JMMS) | 2006 |  Nepal | Based in Kathmandu, the network has 26 regional sex worker led organisations members.[202] |
| Society For Women Awareness Nepal (SWAN) | 2006 | Nepal | First NGO created by sex workers in Nepal.[203] |
| Young Professional Development Society Nepal (YPDSN) | 2013[204] | Nepal | Based in Kathmandu.[205] |
Pakistan
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amitiel Welfare Society | 2008 |  Bahawalpur | NGO that promotes HIV awareness[206] |
| RAAH Foundation | 2016[207] |  Punjab | Based in Gujrat, the organisation works towards HIV awareness.[208] |
Philippines
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippin Sex Workers Collective |  Philippines | Network of sex worker led organisations based in Baguio.[209][163] |
Singapore
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project X | 2008[210] |  Singapore | The organisation works with sex workers and occasionally with clients, brothel keepers, and agents.[211] |
South Korea
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanteo National Union | 2004 |  South Korea | Represents 15,000 sex workers and some brothel owners.[212][213][214] |
| Giant Girls | 2009 | South Korea | Works against the criminalisation of sex work.[212][163] |
Taiwan
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters | 1998[215] |  Taiwan | Based in Taipei.[216] |
Thailand
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMPOWER | 1984[217] |  Thailand | The organization maintains centres in Patpong (Bangkok), Chiang Mai, Mae Sai[218] and Patong, Phuket.[219] |
| SWING (Service Workers in Group) | 1985 |  Bangkok,  Ko Samui and  Pattaya | Based in Bangkok,[220] the organisation runs drop-in centres in the red-light districts of Patpong (Bangkok), Ko Samui and Walking Street (Pattaya).[221] |
Turkey
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembe Hayat (Pink Life LGBTT Solidarity Association) | 2009 |  Turkey | Based in Ankara, the organisation works with trans sex workers.[222][223] |
| Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association | Turkey | Based in Ankara[224] |
Vietnam
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Network of Sex Workers | 2012 |  Vietnam | Sex worker led network with 32 community-based organisations in 21 provinces.[225][226] |
Europe
[edit]Armenia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Generation Humanitarian NGO |  Armenia | Based in Yerevan, the organisation works with male, female, and trans commercial sex workers and their clients.[227] | |
| Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO | 2016 | Armenia | Trans-led organisation based in Yerevan.[228][229] |
Austria
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berufsvertretung Sexarbeit Österreich (BSÖ) |  Austria | Sex worker-led and based in Vienna.[230] | |
| iBUS (Innsbrucker Beratung und Unterstützung für Sexarbeiter*innen) |  Innsbruck | Sex worker support and advice organisation.[231][232] | |
| LEFO | 1985 | Austria | Based in Vienna, the organisation works with migrant sex workers.[233][234] |
| Maiz |  Linz | The organisation works with migrant sex workers[235] | |
| Projekt PiA |  Salzburg State | The organisation works with male and female sex workers[236] | |
| RED EDITION - Migrant sex workers collective | Austria | Organisation that works with migrant sex workers. Based in Vienna.[231][237] | |
| SXA-Info/Verein Frauenservice |  Graz | Provide information and counselling services[238] |
Belgium
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alias |  Brussels | For male and trans sex workers.[239] | |
| Boysproject |  Antwerp | For male and trans sex workers.[239][240] | |
| Espace P |  French Community | Brussels and Wallonia.[239] | |
| Icar | Wallonia | Wallonia.[239] | |
| UTSOPI |  Belgium | National collective of sex workers.[239][241] | |
| Violett | 2019 |  Flemish Community(Flanders + Brussels) | Based in Antwerp.[239][242] Created in 2019 as an umbrella for Ghapro and Pasop, which remain separate organisations:[243] |
Bosnia and Herzegovina
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Against AIDS |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | Based in Banja Luka.[245] |
Czech Republic
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence |  Czech Republic | Based in Prague.[246] | |
| ROZKOS bez RIZIKA | 1992 | Czech Republic | Based in Prague.[247][248] |
Denmark
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexarbejdernes Interesseorganisation | 2008 |  Denmark | Sex worker led organisation.[249] |
Finland
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTS Finland |  Finland | Network of female, male, and transgender sex workers.[250] | |
| Salli - United Sex Professionals of Finland | 2002[251] | Finland | The organisation works for the human rights of sex workers.[252] |
France
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autres Regards | 1995 |  Marseille Avignon | Based in Marseille, previously had a branch in Toulon.[231][253] |
| Cabiria |  Lyon | Sex worker community health organisation.[254][255] | |
| Collectif des Femmes de Strasbourg-Saint-Denis | 2013 |  Paris | Collective of sex workers in the Strasbourg-Saint-Denis district of Paris.[231][254] |
| Collectif Droits & Prostitution |  France | National collective of sex workers' organisations and organisations working with sex workers.[256] | |
| Federation Parapluie Rouge | France | Federation of community health and sex worker associations.[231][257] | |
| Griselidis | 2000 |  Toulouse | Named after Griselidis Real.[231][258] |
| IPPO | 2001 |  Bordeaux | Support organisation for sex workers.[254][259] |
| Itinéraires Entr'Actes | .svg){kind=small} Lille | Support organisation for sex workers.[254][260] | |
| Les amis du bus des femmes | 1990 | Paris | The organisation operates 8 busses to support sex workers.[261][262] |
| PASTT (Prevention Action Sante Travail pour Transgenres) | 1994 | Paris | The organisation works with transgender sex workers.[263][264] |
| Putains dans l'âme |  Besançon | Organisation of sex workers and supporters.[254][265] | |
| Syndicat du travail sexuel (STRASS) | 2009 | France | Trade union for male, female, and transgender sex workers. Based in Paris.[266][267] |
Georgia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women for Freedom | 2014 |  Georgia | Based in Tbilisi.[268][269] |
Germany
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berufsverband erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen (BesD) | 2013 |  Cologne | Trade association for erotic and sexual service providers.[270] |
| bufas |  Berlin | Alliance of specialist advice centers for sex workers.[271][272] | |
| Bundesverband Sexuelle Dienstleistungen (BSD) | 2002 | Berlin | For operators of brothel-like businesses and self-employed prostitutes.[273] Acts as a consultant for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.[274] |
| Doña Carmen | 1998 |  Frankfurt | Self-help organization based in the Bahnhofsviertel district of Frankfurt.[275] |
| Huren wehren sich gemeinsam | 1984 | Frankfurt | Self-help group that ran from 1984 to 1999.[276] |
| Hydra e. V. | 1979 | Berlin | First West German organisation of the Sex Workers' Rights Movement.[277][278][279] |
| Kassandra e. V. | 1987 |  Nuremberg | Sex worker support services.[231][280] |
| Madonna e. V. | 1991 |  Bochum | Self-help organisation.[281] |
| Voice4Sexworkers | 2014 |  Germany | Network of organisations and individuals.[231][282] |
Greece
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Umbrella Athens | 2015 | Athens | Aims to promote health and ensure the rights of sex workers.[283][284] |
| Sex Workers' Empowerment Network | 2021 | Athens | Aims to empower sex workers by unionising them, and thus by forming a sex worker led community. |
Hungary
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association of Hungarian Sex Workers SZEXE | 2000 |  Hungary | Based in Budapest.[285] |
| Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) | Hungary | Network unites NGOs and sex worker groups.[286] |
Ireland
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) | 2009 |  Ireland | Sex worker-led organisation based in Dublin.[287] |
| Red Umbrella Front (RUF) | 2021 | Ireland | "Grass-roots sex worker organisation founded by sex workers in Ireland in response to state violence and exploitation by non-governmental organisations, including those founded and run by religious orders." |
Italy
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comitato Diritti Civili delle Prostitute Onlus (CDCP) | 1983 |  Italy | Sex worker-led organisation based in Trieste.[231][288] |
| Le Graziose, CDCP Genova | 2007 |  Genoa | Genoese branch of the CDCP.[231][289] |
| Ombre Rosse | Italy | Sex worker collective.[231][290] |
Lithuania
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demetra Association of HIV affected Women and Their Family | 2000[291] |  Lithuania | The association works with female sex workers, their clients, and HIV-affected women[292] |
Luxembourg
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| dropIn Croix-Rouge |  Luxembourg | Sex worker support services run by the Red Cross.[293][294] |
Macedonia
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOPS (Healthy Options Project Skopje) |  Skopje | Provides health, social, and legal services to sex workers.[295] | |
| STAR-STAR | 2010 |  Macedonia | Based in Skopje.[296] |
Montenegro
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juventas |  Montenegro | Based in Podgorica.[297] |
Netherlands
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aidsfonds / Soa AIDS Nederland[298] | 1985 |  Netherlands | Merged with Stichting soa-bestrijding in 2004. The Sex Work Projects Programme aims to prevent HIV/AIDS and STIs amongst sex workers. Based in Amsterdam. |
| PROUD (labour union)[299] | 2015 | Netherlands | National sex trade union for (former) sex workers. Based in Amsterdam. Successor of The Red Thread (De Rode Draad). |
| Red Light United[300] | 2019 |  De Wallen | Trade union of (mostly foreign) window workers on De Wallen. Based in Amsterdam. |
| TAMPEP[13] | 1993 | Europe | Calls itself the "European Network for HIV/STI Prevention and Health Promotion among Migrant Sex Workers". Based in Amsterdam. Hosted from Helsinki. |
| Door2Door | 1989 | Rotterdam | Door2Door is an information and service center created by and for sex workers, based in Rotterdam and the area. |
Norway
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PION - Sex Workers interest organisation in Norway |  Norway | Based in Oslo.[301] |
Poland
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex Work Polska | 2015 |  Poland | Based in Warsaw.[302][303] |
Portugal
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| APDES (Agencia Piaget para o Desenvolvimento) |  Portugal | Based in Vila Nova de Gaia.[304] | |
| Movimento dxs Trabalhadorxs do Sexo | Portugal | National organisation that supports sex worker's rights.[231][305] | |
| Rede sobre Trabalho Sexual (RTS) | 2011 | Portugal | Network of sex work organisations.[306] |
Romania
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SexWorkCall Romania | 2018 |  Romania | Founded by three sexworkers and based in Bucharest.[307][308] |
Russia
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Rose | 2003 |  Russian Federation | Sex worker-led organisation based in St Petersburg,[309] with branches in more than 40 Russian cities.[310] |
| Sex Workers Forum Russia | 2016 | Russian Federation | Based in Kazan.[311][312] |
Serbia
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAZAS - Association Against AIDS |  Serbia | Advocate for universal access to health services[313] | |
| Sloboda Prava (Equal Rights) | 2011 | Serbia | Sex workers' rights organization based in Belgrade.[314] |
Spain
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| APROSEX |  Barcelona | The organisation works with cis and trans female sex workers.[315][316] | |
| CATS (Comite de Apoyo a las Trabajadoras del Sexo) | 2002 |  Murcia  Alicante  Albacete  Almería | Sex worker support organisation. |
| Centro Alba |  Zaragoza | Support organisation for sex workers and their families.[317] | |
| Colectivo Caye |  Asturias | Sex worker-led organisation.[318] | |
| Prostitutas Indignadas | 2012 | Barcelona | Sex worker-led organisation of street workers in the El Raval neighbourhood.[231][319] |
| Sindicato OTRAS |  Spain | Delegations in the Canary Islands, Madrid, Murcia, Seville, and Valencia.[320] | |
| Plataforma StopAbolicion | 2022 | Spain | Coalition of people affected by sex work criminalization laws[321] |
Sweden
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuckförbundet | 2017 |  Sweden | Organisation led by sex workers and based in Gothenburg.[322][323] |
| Rose Alliance | 2010 | Sweden | Sex worker-led organisation based in Stockholm.[324][325] |
| Sexsäljares och allierades nätverk i Sverige | 2007 | Sweden | Network of sex workers and their allies.[326] |
Switzerland
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspasie | 1982 |  Geneva | Co-founded by Grisélidis Réal.[327] |
| Fleur de Pavé | 1996 |  Lausanne | Health organisation for sex workers.[231][328] |
| ProCoRe (Prostitution Collective Reflexion) | 1990s |  Switzerland | Network of 27 sex worker organisations.[231][329] |
| Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs du sexe | 2012 | Switzerland | Based in Geneva.[330] |
| XENIA | 1984 |  Bern | Sex worker support organisation based in the city of Bern.[231][331] |
Ukraine
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Ukrainian League "Legalife" |  Ukraine | National sex workers organisation.[332] | |
| CO Legalife-Ukraine | Ukraine | National organisation for sex workers and their clients.[333] | |
| Public Movement "Faith, Hope, Love" (Общественное Движение "Вера, Надежда, Любовь") | 1996 | Ukraine | Based in Odessa.[334] |
United Kingdom
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Another Way |  Edinburgh[335] | ||
| Cybertease | 2020 | All global and intergalactic locations[336] | Workers cooperative set up by members of the USW union |
| English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) | 1975 |  England | Based in London.[337] |
| International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) | 2000 |  United Kingdom | United Kingdom-based trade union for sex workers.[338] |
| Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH) | 1991 |  Manchester | |
| National Ugly Mugs (NUM) | 2012 | United Kingdom | Takes reports of incidents from sex workers, and produces anonymised warnings which are sent directly to sex workers and front-line support projects throughout the UK.[339] |
| SCOT-PEP (Scottish Prostitutes Education Project) |  Scotland | Based in Edinburgh.[340] | |
| Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM) | 2009 | United Kingdom | Originally named Sex Worker Open University. |
| Support For Student Sex Workers | Manchester[341] | ||
| The Sex Workers Union | 2018 | United Kingdom | Originally named United Sex Workers |
| UK Network of Sex Work Projects (UKNSWP) | United Kingdom | Umbrella organisation that represents sex work projects in the UK.[342] | |
| Umbrella Lane | 2015 | Scotland | Support organisation based in Glasgow.[231][343] |
| x:talk | 2006 |  London | Provides free English classes for migrant workers in the sex industry.[344] |
North America
[edit]Belize
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tikkun Olam Belize | 2011 |  Belize | Based in Orange Walk Town.[345][346] |
Canada
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC Coalition of Experiential Communities | 2005 |  British Columbia | Sex worker-led organisation based in Vancouver. Originally B. C. Coalition of Experiential Women, but later expanded to include male and trans sex workers.[347][348] |
| Butterfly - Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Network | 2014 |  Canada | Support network for Asian and migrant sex workers. Based in Ontario.[349][350][351] |
| Canadian Guild for Erotic Labour | 2003 |  Ontario Quebec | Peer-led group for those in the adult industry, including escorts, erotic masseuses, body rub, street workers, erotic dancer, BDSM professionals, and porn performers/models.[352][353] |
| CASWLR (Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform) | 2014? | Canada | Based in Montreal, connecting with sex workers and similar organisations nationally to challenge and inform governments to impact laws and policies regarding sex work.[354] |
| FIRST | Canada | Based in Vancouver.[355] | |
| Maggie's: The Toronto Sex Workers Action Project | 1986 |  Toronto | One of the first sex worker-led organisations in Canada.[356][357] |
| Migrant Sex Workers Project | Toronto | Migrant sex worker-led group.[358] | |
| Operation Snatch | Toronto | Multidisciplinary theatre company run by sex workers; theatre is used as a platform for social activism.[359] | |
| PACE (Providing Alternatives Counselling & Education Society) | 1994 |  Vancouver | Sex worker-led organisation.[360][361] |
| Peers Victoria Resources Society | 1995 | Victoria, British Columbia | Sex worker-led organisation.[362][363] |
| POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa, Gatineau, Work, Educate, Resist) |  Ottawa | Sex worker-led organisation.[364][365] | |
| Projet L.U.N.E. | 2012 | Quebec | Sex worker-led organisation.[366][367] |
| Shift Calgary | Calgary | Provides support to current and former sex workers.[368][369] | |
| S.H.O.P. (Safe Harbour Outreach Project) |  Newfoundland | Based in St. John's.[370][371] | |
| SPOC (Sex Professionals of Canada) | 1983 | Canada | National, voluntary, sex worker-run organization that is funded entirely by donations, seeking to decriminalise all forms of sex work in Canada through advocacy and education.[372][373] |
| Stella, l'amie de Maimie | 1995 |  Montreal | Offers support and information to sex workers.[374][375] |
| Stepping Stone | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Provides support to sex workers.[376][377] | |
| SWAG (Sex Workers Action Group) | Kingston, Ontario | Sex worker-led organisation.[378][379] | |
| SWAN (Sex Workers' Action Network of Waterloo Region) | Waterloo Region | Based in Kitchener, Ontario.[380][381] | |
| SWAN (Supporting Women's Alternative's Network Vancouver) | 2002 | Lower Mainland | Based in Vancouver.[382][383] |
| SWAP Hamilton (Sex Workers' Action Program of Hamilton) |  Hamilton | Provide support services to sex workers.[384][385] |
El Salvador
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asociacion de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales LIQUIDAMBAR | 2009 |  El Salvador | Based in San Salvador.[386][387] |
| Fundacion Angelica Quinta | El Salvador | Based in San Salvador.[388] | |
| La Organización de Trabajadoras del Sexo de El Salvador | 2009 | El Salvador | Based in San Salvador.[389][390] |
Haiti
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association Nationale de Protection des Femmes et Enfants Haïtiens (ANAPFEH) | 1991 |  Haiti | Organisation that works with sex workers and their children, based in Delmas.[391][392] |
Jamaica
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica SW Coalition |  Jamaica | Sex worker-led organisation based in Kingston.[393][394] |
Mexico
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aproase |  Mexico | Sex worker-led organisation based in México City.[395][396] | |
| Casa de Las Muñecas Tiresias | 2018 | Mexico | Provides support in health and food services for transgender people and sex workers.[397][398] |
| Casa Xochiquetzal | 2006 |  Mexico City | Support for elderly sex workers.[399][400] |
| Centro De Apoyo A Las Identidades Trans A.C. | 2011 | Mexico City | Trans sex worker-led organisation.[401][402] |
| Colectivo de Hombres en Accion Comunitaria A.C. | Mexico | Organisation for male and transgender sex workers based in Monterrey.[403] | |
| Colectivo Seres A.C. |  Guanajuato | Based in Guanajuato City.[404][405] | |
| Diversidad TTT A.C. | 2009 | Mexico | Based in San Cristóbal de las Casas.[406][407] |
| JOVENES DIVERSOS VIHDA A.C. |  Tamaulipas | Promotes HIV awareness.[408] | |
| Movimiento de Trabajo Sexual de México | Mexico | National sex worker-led organisation based in Mexico City.[409] | |
| Mujer Libertad A.C | 1997 |  Queretaro | Sex worker-led organisation.[410][411] |
| Tamaulipas Diversidad Vihda Trans A.C. | 2009 | Tamaulipas | The organisation supports HIV prevention. Based in Tampico.[412][413] |
| Union y Fuerza de Mujeres Trans Chihuahuenses a.c. |  Chihuahua | Support for transgender sex workers.[414] |
Nicaragua
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asociación de Mujeres "Las Golondrinas" | 2004 |  Nicaragua | Sex worker led organisation based in Matagalpa.[415][416] |
Panama
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Perts Panama |  Panama | Based in Santiago.[417] |
Trinidad and Tobago
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RED Initiatives |  Trinidad and Tobago | Based in Arima.[418] | |
| Terkita Persad | Trinidad and Tobago | Based in Tunapuna.[419] |
United States
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| APAC (Adult Performer Advocacy Committee) | 2014 |  United States | Support organisation for performers in the adult film industry.[420][421][422] |
| BAYSWAN | 1999 |  Bay Area | Non-profit organization for sex workers in the San Francisco Bay Area.[423] |
| Best Practices Policy Project | United States | Supports sex workers and organizations, and advocates working with sex workers.[424][425] | |
| BSWC (The Black Sex Worker Collective) |  New York City | Black sex worker collective.[426][427] | |
| COYOTE | 1973 | United States | Founded in 1973 in San Francisco, advocacy group for sex workers.[428] |
| Cupcake Girls | 2010 | United States | Provides support to sex workers in 22 states, with offices in Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon.[429][430] |
| CUSP (Community United for Safety & Protection) |  Alaska | Sex worker-led organisation based in Nenana.[431][432] | |
| Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) | 2018 | United States | National organization pursuing a state-by-state strategy to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution. Decriminalize Sex Work works with local organizations, advocates, and lobbyists to build community support and convince legislators to stop prostitution-related arrests. |
| Desiree Alliance | 2005 | United States | National alliance of sex workers and former sex workers based in Arkansas.[433][434] |
| ESPLER Project (Sex Workers and Erotic Service Providers Legal Education and Research Project) | 2010 | United States | Peer-led organisation based in San Francisco that supports sex workers and others in the adult industry, such as exotic dancers, phone sex operators, adult film performers, web cam performers, and dominatrix-submissives.[435][436][437] |
| ESPU (Erotic Service Providers Union) | 2004 | United States | Peer-led organisation based in San Francisco.[438][439] |
| GLITS | United States | Transgender sex worker organisation based in Queens.[440][441] | |
| HIPS |  Washington, D.C. | Provides support services to sex workers in the D.C. Metro area.[442][443] | |
| International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture and Education | United States | Based in California, runs museum in Montana. | |
| Las Vegas Dancers Alliance | 2002–3 |  Nevada | |
| NJRUA (NJ Red Umbrella Alliance) |  New Jersey | NGO that works for sex worker rights.[444][445] | |
| PONY (Prostitutes of New York) | 1994 |  New York | Sex worker led organisation.[446][447] |
| Red Canary Song | 2018 | New York City | Massage worker group based in Flushing.[448] |
| Red Light District by TW!O | 2022 |  Atlanta | Sex workers rights advocacy organization providing community, safety, and support to sex workers - based in Atlanta.[449][450] |
| Red Umbrella Project | 2010 | New York City | Sex worker-led group based in Brooklyn.[451][452] |
| St. James Infirmary Clinic | 1999 | San Francisco | Peer based health services to sex workers.[453][454] |
| STROLL (Sex Traders Radical Outreach & Liberation Lobby) | 2016 |  Portland, Oregon | Sex worker led organisation.[455] |
| SWOP-USA (Sex Workers Outreach Project USA) | 2003 | United States | Branches: Behind Bars,[456] Chicago,[457] Denver,[458] New Orleans,[459] New York,[460] Northern California,[461] Philadelphia,[462] Pittsburgh,[463] Sacramento, San Antonio,[464] San Francisco,[465] Seattle,[466] Tucson[467] |
| The Outlaw Project | United States | Advocates for the rights of sex workers who are people of colour, transgender women, gender non-binary, or migrants.[468][469] | |
| The Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Centre | New York City | Provide legal and social services to sex workers.[470][471] | |
| Women with a Vision |  New Orleans | Collective of African-American sex workers.[472][473] | |
| Yukon Status of Women Council |  Yukon | Based in Whitehorse.[474] |
- Supportive
| Name and abbreviation | Support since | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) | 1975 | United States | New York-based civil rights organization that has supported decriminalizing sex work since 1975 (unofficially since 1973).[475] |
Oceania
[edit]Australia
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magenta |  Western Australia | Peer-led organisation based in Perth.[476][477] | |
| Respect Inc |  Queensland | Drop-in centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, and the Gold Coast.[478][479] | |
| RhED |  Victoria | Sex worker-led organisation based in St Kilda.[480][481] | |
| Salome's Circle | Victoria | Support organisation for strippers, exotic dancers, and show girls. Based in Melbourne.[482][483] | |
| Scarlet Alliance | 1989 |  Australia | National network of sex workers organisations and projects. Based in Redfern.[484][485] |
| Sex Industry Network (SIN) | 1986 |  South Australia | Sex worker-led organisation, originally called Prostitutes Association of South Australia (PASA). Based in Mile End.[477][486] |
| SWEAR WA (Sex Work: Education, Advocacy, & Rights Western Australia) | 2013 | Western Australia | Originally called People for Sex Worker Rights WA.[477][487] |
| SWOP ACT (Australian Capital Territory) |  Australian Capital Territory | Based in Turner.[477][488] | |
| SWOP NSW (Sex Workers Outreach Project) | 1983 |  New South Wales | Originally called the Australia Prostitutes' Collective. Based in Surry Hills.[489][490] |
| SWOP NT (Northern Territory) |  Northern Territory | Sex worker-led organisation based in Darwin.[477][491] | |
| Vixen Collective | 2005 | Victoria | Sex worker-led organisation.[477][492] |
Fiji
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Rainbow$ Advocacy Network | 2008 |  Fiji | Organisation that supports female, transgender, and male sex werkers. Based in Lautoka.[493][494] |
| Strumphet Alliance Network | 2014 | Fiji | Sex worker-led organisation based in Suva.[495][496] |
New Zealand
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective | 1987 |  New Zealand | Sex worker-led collective based in Wellington, with branches in other cities.[497][498] |
Papua New Guinea
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends Frangipani | 2006[499] |  Papua New Guinea | Sex worker-led group based in Port Moresby.[500] |
South America
[edit]Argentina
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association of Women Sex Workers of Argentina (AMMAR) | 2000 |  Córdoba | Sex worker-lead organisation.[501][502] |
Brazil
[edit]| Name | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| APROSMIG (Associação das Prostitutas de Minas Gerais) |  Brazil | Sex worker-led organisation based in Belo Horizonte.[503] | |
| Associação Mulheres Guerreiras | 2007 | Brazil | Sex worker-led organisation based in Campinas.[504][505] |
| Associação Pernambucana das Profissionais do Sexo (Pernambuco Association of Sex Workers) | Brazil | Based in Recife.[506] | |
| ASTRASSE (Associação das Trabalhadoras Sexuais de Sergipe) | Brazil | Based in Aracaju.[507] | |
| Davida | 1992 | Brazil | Based in Rio de Janeiro.[508] |
| Estrela Guia | Brazil | Based in Florianópolis.[509] | |
| GEMPAC (Grupo de Mulheres Prostitutas do Estado do Para) | Brazil | Based in Belém.[510] |
Colombia
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lxs callejerxs |  Colombia | Sex worker-led organisation based in Bogotá.[511] | |
| Fundacion Red Comunitaria Trans | 2012 |  Bogotá | Tran sex worker organisation in the Santa Fe tolerance zone of Bogotá.[512] |
| TWIGGY Fundación | 2016 |  Valle del Cauca | Tran sex worker organisation based in Cali. Named after the founder, María del Pilar "Twiggy" Escobar.[513] |
Ecuador
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asociacion de Mujeres Autonomas "22nd de Junio" | 1985 |  El Oro | First sex workers organisation in Latin America.[514][515] |
| Asociacion de mujeres del canton milagro |  Guayas | Association that works with sex workers who work on the streets.[515][516] | |
| Asociacion De Mujeres Trabajadoras Del Sexo "Colectivo Flor De Azalea" | Guayas | Sex worker-led association that works with sex workers who work on the streets.[517] | |
| Asociación de Trabajadoras Autonomas 1 de Agosto | Guayas | Association that works with sex workers and their clients and families.[518] | |
| Asociación de Trabajadoras Sexuales 1o de Mayo |  Quito | Association that works with sex workers who work on the streets.[515][519] | |
| Asociacion De Trabajadoras Sexuales Por Un Futuro Mejor | Quito | Works with cis and transgender sex workers.[520] | |
| Asociación de Trabajadoras Sexuales Trans de Quito | Quito | Led by, and for, trans sex workers.[515][521] | |
| Asociacion Goover | 2004 | Quito | Sex worker-led group for male sex workers.[522][523] |
| Asociacion Horizontes Diversos |  Manabí | Works with female, trans, and male sex workers[524] | |
| Asociacion Primero de Mayo | Quito | Advocate for universal access to health services.[525] | |
| Asociacion Pro Defensa de la Mujer - ASPRODEMU |  Pichincha | The association works with sex workers who work in indoor venues. Based in Quito.[526] | |
| Association of Autonomous Female Workers (AAFW) | 1982 |  Ecuador | Operated by health care workers and sex workers.[527] |
| Coalición de Trabajadorxs Sexuales de Quito (CTSQ) | Quito | Activist platform for sex workers.[528] | |
| Federacion Nacional de Mujeres Autonomas del Ecuador |  Quevedo | Work with female and trans sex workers.[529] | |
| Fundacion Transgeneros Peninsulares | 2002 | Salinas | Trans sex worker-led organisation.[530] |
| PLAPERTS (Plataforma Latinoamerica de Personas que Ejercen el Trabajo Sexual) |  Machala | Works with female, trans, and male sex workers.[531] | |
| Red de Trabajadoras Sexuales del Ecuador (REDTRABSEX) | 2005 | Ecuador | Umbrella network of sex worker organisations in Ecuador.[532] |
Guyana
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC) | 2008 |  Guyana | Based in Georgetown, one of the first sex worker led organisations in the Caribbean.[533][534] |
Peru
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asociación Civil Angel Azul | 2002 |  Lima | Association of trans women from South Lima.[535][536] |
| Asociacion Civil Cambio Y Accion | 2006 | Lima | Aims to create safe areas for sex work.[537] |
| Asociacion TS Tumbes Por Nosotras para Nosotras |  Peru | Based in Tumbes.[538] | |
| Miluska Vida y Dignidad A.C. | Peru | Sex worker led organisation based in Lima.[539] | |
| MTSP (Movimiento de Trabajadoras Sexuales del Peru) | Peru | Union of sex workers in Peru.[540] | |
| Mujeres del Sur |  Arequipa | Sex worker led organisation[541] |
Suriname
[edit]| Name and abbreviation | Founded | Region served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stichting Rachab[542] | 1994 |  Suriname | Advocates for the rights and health of all sex workers in Suriname. Originally named Stichting Maxi Linder Association (SMLA) after famous sex worker Maxi Linder.[542][543] |
| Suriname Collection of Sex Workers (DCF–SUCOS) | 2018 | Suriname | Paramaribo-based foundation registered as DCF by Denise Carr in 2018. Originated from the 2015 unregistered SUCOS.[544] |
| Suriname Men United (SMU) | 2005 | Suriname | Paramaribo-based NGO dedicated to improving the well-being of men who have sex with men in Suriname.[545] Has supported decriminisalisation of sex work.[546] |
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Sanders, Teela; O'Neill, Maggie; Pitcher, Jane (2009). Prostitution: Sex Work, Policy and Politics. London: SAGE Publications. p. 101. ISBN 9781849204361.
Decriminalization continues to be at the heart of many sex worker rights organizations.
- ^ Carrabine, Eamonn (2020). Criminology: A Sociological Introduction. Abingdon: Routledge. p. 253. ISBN 9781351343824.
Sex workers' organisations have been campaigning against neo-abolitionist policies and the criminalisation of commercial sex as detrimental to their lives and working conditions, and advocate for the complete decriminalisation of prostitution (see Plate 12.2) (Macioti and Garofalo Geymonat 2016).
- ^ a b Tremblay, Francine (2020). Organizing for Sex Workers' Rights in Montréal: Resistance and Advocacy. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 87. ISBN 9781498593908.
Sex workers' organizations and their allies favor decriminalization of prostitution because of the harms that stigmatization, discrimination, and criminalization bring to sex workers' lives and work.
- ^ Flowers, R. Barri (2011). Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling Sex from the Suite to the Street. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 49. ISBN 9780313384615.
There are some who support Nevada's legal prostitution industry in specific and the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution in general, such as the sex workers rights' organizations, COYOTO (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) and PONY (Prostitutes of New York). (...) There appears to be stronger support among prostitutes' rights groups and many self-employed sex workers for decriminalization than legalization of prostitution, as "legalization is understood to mean decriminalization accompanied by strict municipal regulation of prostitution."
- ^ a b Cruz, Katie (2020). "10. The Work of Sex Work. Prostitution, Unfreedom, and Criminality at Work". Criminality at Work. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 192–196. ISBN 9780198836995.
The central and uniting demand of the sex worker rights movement around the world is the decriminalization of consensual adult sex work. (...) Sex worker rights activists and their allies are united on the need for decriminalization of prostitution-related activities.
- ^ "Caribbean Sex Work Coalition". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 28 November 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Caribbean Vulnerable Communities". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "The CVC History". CVC Coalition. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "East Africa Sex Workers Alliance (EASWA)". Front Line Defenders. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "East Africa Sex Workers Alliance (EASWA)". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ Gall, Gregor (2006). "Antecedents of Organising Sex Workers". Sex Worker Union Organising: An International Study. London: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 48. doi:10.1057/9780230502482_4. ISBN 9780230502482. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Michelle Goldberg (30 July 2014). "Should Buying Sex Be Illegal?". The Nation. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Illegale prostituées werken niet veilig. Sekswerkers vallen door het strenge Europese vreemdelingenbeleid in handen van criminelen". Trouw. 25 November 1994. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "Statement of Support for Amnesty International" (PDF). nswp.org. Global Network of Sex Work Projects. August 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ Emily Bazelon (25 May 2016). "Why Amnesty International Is Calling for Decriminalizing Sex Work". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ Dunja Mijatović (15 February 2024). "Protecting the human rights of sex workers - Commissioner for Human Rights - www.coe.int". Commissioner for Human Rights. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
A human rights based approach also means that consensual sexual relations between adults for remuneration should not be criminalised. (...) Consensual adult sex work should not be conflated with violence against women or trafficking in human beings; (...) the decriminalisation of sex work does not mean the removal of laws that criminalise exploitation, human trafficking or violence against sex workers. On the contrary, these laws must remain, and should be strengthened.
- ^ "GAATW-IS Comment: Amnesty International calls for the decriminalisation of sex work". E-Bulletin. Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women. 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "World Report 2014" (PDF). hrw.org. Human Rights Watch. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
The logic of Toonen and Goodwin informs two recent foci of Human Rights Watch's privacy-related work: our call for decriminalizing simple drug use and possession (see the essay The Human Rights Case for Drug Reform in this volume), and our push for decriminalizing voluntary sex work by adults.
- ^ "Human Rights Watch Affirm Support for Decriminalisation". nswp.org. Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ "Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalized". hrw.org. Human Rights Watch. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ ILGA World, International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe & New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective (23 March 2019). "Wellington, 23 March - LGBTI organisations from across the world call for decriminalisation of sex work". ILGA.org. ILGA World. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "The 8 March Principles for a Human Rights-Based Approach to Criminal Law Proscribing Conduct Associated with Sex, Reproduction, Drug Use, HIV, Homelessness and Poverty" (PDF). International Commission of Jurists. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
Principle 17: Sex work. The exchange of sexual services between consenting adults for money, goods or services and communication with another about, advertising an offer for, or sharing premises with another for the purpose of exchanging sexual services between consenting adults for money, goods or services, whether in a public or private place, may not be criminalized, absent coercion, force, abuse of authority or fraud. Criminal law may not proscribe the conduct of third parties who, directly or indirectly, for receipt of a financial or material benefit, under fair conditions – without coercion, force, abuse of authority or fraud – facilitate, manage, organize, communicate with another, advertise, provide information about, provide or rent premises for the purpose of the exchange of sexual services between consenting adults for money, goods or services.
- ^ "Focus areas". lastradainternational.org. La Strada International. 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "HIV and sex workers". The Lancet. Elsevier. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
This Series of seven papers aims to investigate the complex issues faced by sex workers worldwide, and calls for the decriminilisation of sex work, in the global effort to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
- ^ a b c "New WHO guidelines to better prevent HIV in sex workers". World Health Organization. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
The WHO, in partnership with UNFPA, UNAIDS, and the Global Network of Sex Work Projects, developed new guidelines following consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including national programme managers, researchers, sex workers' representatives, international organizations, and development partners. (...) The new WHO guidelines recommend that countries work towards decriminalization of sex work, and urge countries to improve sex workers' access to health services.
- ^ "Thematic analysis: eliminating discrimination against women in the area of health and safety, with a focus on the instrumentalization of women's bodies (2016) – A/HRC/32/44R" (PDF). Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
Criminal laws and other punitive regulations have imposed custodial sentences on women involved in prostitution/sex work in a manner that has been shown to harm rather than protect them. The Working Group considers that the criminalization of women in prostitution/sex work places them in a situation of injustice, vulnerability and stigma and is contrary to international human rights law. (...) The Working Group recommends that States: (...) Decriminalize sexual and reproductive behaviours that are attributed exclusively or mainly to women, including adultery and prostitution (...)
- ^ "ASSC NGO". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Doces Para Sempre-SW". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Association Solidarite". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Who We Are". PMCFMH. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Pilot Mathambo Centre for Men's Health". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Sisonke Botswana". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Association Kamb béog Neere Yinga". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Lutte contre les IST VIH/SIDA : l'engagement de l'association " YERELON " - leFaso.net". lefaso.net (in French). 29 October 2003. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Association Yerelon+". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Rural Women Initiatives for Self-Empowerment (RWISE)". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Solidarite Pour Les Droits Des Travailleuses De Sexe". Global Network of Sex Work Projects (in French and English). 3 April 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Aids-ACODEV-Cameroon". Global Network of Sex Work Projects. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ^ Nemande, Steave (3 January 2013). "Fighting HI