Sex Workers Unite

My short piece the other day on a Cambodian protest by Sex Workers against their criminalization, brutalization, and the abuse they therefore increasingly suffer at the hands of police has received tons of hits, most owing – no doubt – to the mere presence of the word ‘sex’ in the title.

More good sex worker news comes to us today courtesy of DAS.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is a hit with the girls.

Sex workers from around the world unfurled a banner reading “Sex workers support Ban Ki Moon” during his speech at the opening plenary of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. Sex workers thank United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon for his support of their efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

On March 26, 2008, the Report of the Commission on AIDS in Asia was released with a statement from the Secretary General. This excellent report calls for the decriminalization of sex work, and counsels governments and other actors to, “Avoid programmes that accentuate AIDS-related stigma and can be counterproductive. Such programmes may include ‘crack-downs’ on red-light areas and arrest of sex workers.” Realistic efforts to include affected populations including sex workers are critical to combat the spread of HIV – in fact, sex workers are generally leaders in sexual health when their human rights are respected.

Righteous. DAS also referred to this excellent video, which interviews a number of people involved in various aspects of sex work – from sex workers themselves to a few of their advocates. Powerful stuff, and very worth watching.

A refusal to be ashamed can be a heroic move. Bravo. Here’s some links:

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP)