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Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Sex Workers: Asking the Tough Questions

Location: New York, NY
Event Date: July 13, 2011

Policy experts and human rights advocates will meet in New York to discuss critical questions on rights-based responses to promoting the human rights of sex workers and how these issues relate to children in prostitution, sex trafficking, and other critical human rights issues.

Debates rage over what legal and policy environments would best promote and protect those engaged in selling sexual services. What is often lost in this debate is what happens to the lives of people engaged in sex work as a result of the laws, policies, and programs that are intended to protect them.

The discussion will take place as part of the International Human Rights Funders Group meeting.

Speakers include:

  • Meena Saraswathi Seshu, General Secretary, SANGRAM (India)
  • Ruth Morgan Thomas, Global Coordinator, Global Network of Sex Work Projects
  • Deon Haywood, Executive Director, Women With a Vision
  • Françoise Girard, Director, Open Society Public Health Program

Individuals can register for the meeting online at www.ihrfg.org.

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Ending Demand to End Sex Trafficking: Does it Work?
OSI-New York
April 12, 2012
audio AUDIO
Experts discuss “end demand” campaigns that are primarily focused on abolishing prostitution by criminalizing the consumers of commercial sex. Are such policies effective in curtailing trafficking, and what impact do they have on marginalized communities?

What You Can’t Say Might Hurt You
Heather Doyle
February 10, 2012
blog BLOG  
Federal courts have repeatedly invalidated the U.S.'s anti-prostitution pledge. Now the Obama administration must decide whether to appeal to the Supreme Court or finally retire this harmful policy.

Centers for Change: Drop-In Centers Facilitate Sex Worker-Led Human Rights Advocacy
February 2012
Drop-in centers are often the only places where sex workers can access health care, legal counseling, and other social services. These centers also play a key role in mobilizing activism by sex workers to change the laws, policies, and practices that violate their human rights.

Secretary Clinton: Thank You, and More, Please
Zoe Hudson
November 9, 2011
blog BLOG  
Calling for an "AIDS-free generation," Secretary Clinton delivered a strong and welcome speech on global HIV/AIDS. At a time of stagnating budgets and threats to foreign aid, her strong support for ramping up the fight was good news. But why no mention of vulnerable groups, like people who inject drugs, sex workers, and men who have sex with men?

Kenya's Invisible Women
Umra Omar
October 13, 2011
blog BLOG  
In the small town of Malindi, Kenya, women who use drugs will never receive the services they deserve until the community listens to their needs.

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