News
Centre for the Development of People Challenges Human Rights Abuses Against Sex Workers in Malawi
With support from the Southern Africa Litigation Centre and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) is challenging human rights abuses against sex workers in Malawi.
According to firsthand accounts, the Malawi Police Service forces sex workers to submit to HIV testing following their arrests. Mandatory HIV testing violates a number of human rights provisions contained in the Constitution of Malawi and international human rights standards, including the right to privacy, dignity, equality, and consent for medical testing. By addressing these violations in Malawi's High Court, CEDEP hopes to tackle the current harassment and prosecution of sex workers carried out by law enforcement.
OSI's Sexual Health and Rights Project supports CEDEP's efforts to promote and protect human rights in Malawi and their ability to respond quickly to emerging needs. CEDEP addresses the needs and challenges of minority groups in Malawi in the context of human rights, health, and social development. Presently the organization focuses on minority groups such as prisoners, sex workers, and sexual and gender minorities.
