OSIEA-Supported Conference Addresses Access to Health and Rights for Sex Workers

Akina Mama wa Afrika, OSIEA, SHARP, and LAHI brought together 35 activists and experts to address the health risks and abuses faced by sex workers in the region. In East Africa, sex workers encounter high levels of physical violence, including rape, and are also subject to extortion and demands for bribes and sexual favors from police and clients.

Government agencies regularly refuse to help sex workers who have been abused or whose rights have been violated. These abuses, coupled with discrimination from society in general, frequently force sex workers into hiding, effectively blocking their access to the most basic health, justice, and social care services. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the difficult environment sex workers face in East Africa, and to share information regarding access to rights and safety. Such discussions are critical to reduce risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and to improve overall health and wellbeing.

With support from OSI's Public Health Watch, a Kenyan sex workers organization is carrying out community based monitoring in Nairobi, Mlolongo, and Thika to document barriers to HIV and reproductive health services through interviews with sex workers, healthcare workers, police, and other stakeholders.  The results of this effort will be used to advocate for improved access to HIV and reproductive health services for sex workers.