Category: History

The HIV and Sex Work Collection

The HIV and Sex Work Collection: Innovative Responses in Asia and the Pacific Launched

2012-12-11

“The HIV and Sex Work Collection: Innovative Responses in Asia and the Pacific” is a collection of case studies highlighting the work undertaken by sex worker-led community based organisations and networks in undertaking HIV related advocacy efforts. It was launched in 2012 as the result of a collaboration between UNFPA, UNAIDS and APNSW. … More The HIV and Sex Work Collection: Innovative Responses in Asia and the Pacific Launched

performance at the sex workers freedom festival

2012 – Sex Workers Freedom Festival Held in Kolkata, India (alternative IAC)

2012-08-26

Sex workers were excluded from attending the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, USA, due to restrictive US immigration policies. Instead APNSW, supported by NSWP, held an alternative event titled the Sex Workers’ Freedom Festival in Kolkata, India. Sex workers from over 40 countries took part in five days of discussions, workshops, protests, arts based advocacy and a video live-link to the official conference. … More 2012 – Sex Workers Freedom Festival Held in Kolkata, India (alternative IAC)

2012 – Vietnam Network of Sex Workers is Formed

2012-08-08

In 2012. sex workers in Vietnam got together and formed a national network in order to bring about positive changes for their communities. The network aims to represent the voices, and act for the legitimate interests, of sex workers in Vietnam, in order to improve quality of life and decrease stigma and discrimination against sex workers. … More 2012 – Vietnam Network of Sex Workers is Formed

Last Rescue In Siam

2012-02-27

“Last Rescue in Siam” is a short, silent black and white film produced by Empower Foundation, which uses parody to highlight the impact of anti-trafficking policies on sex workers operating in Thailand. According to the Empower research project, “We have now reached a point in history where there are more women in the Thai sex industry being abused by anti-trafficking practices than there are women exploited by traffickers.” … More Last Rescue In Siam

fifty armed police just to arrest us little women?

2011 – Hit and Run: the Impact of Anti-trafficking Policy and Practice on Sex Workers’ Human Rights in Thailand

2012-02-22

In 2012, EMPOWER Foundation released the report titled: ‘Hit and Run: the Impact Anti-trafficking Policy and Practise on Sex Workers’ Human Rights in Thailand.’ The report was the result of a 12-month research study undertaken by sex workers identifying as both Thai nationals and migrants. … More 2011 – Hit and Run: the Impact of Anti-trafficking Policy and Practice on Sex Workers’ Human Rights in Thailand

speaker at left of picture holding microphone, in background is a banner saying Asia and Pacific Regional (Consultation) on HIV and

2010 – Asia Pacific Regional Consultation on HIV and Sex Work, Pattaya, Thailand

2010-10-18

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW), UNAIDS, and UNFPA collaborated on a consultation on HIV/AIDS and sex work in Asia, held in Pattaya, Thailand. The meeting brought together UN and Global Fund representatives, NGOs, government officials, and sex worker groups from nine Asia Pacific countries. … More 2010 – Asia Pacific Regional Consultation on HIV and Sex Work, Pattaya, Thailand

Indian Sex Workers Produce Video Response to “Prostitutes of God” Documentary

2010-09-25

In 2010, VBS (VICE) media produced a highly offensive documentary film, “Prostitutes of God”, which attempted to explore the cultures of Devadasis in the Indian city of Sangli, Maharashtra, and the northern regions of the state of Karnataka. With the support of Veshya Anyay Mukti Parishad (VAMP), sex workers who participated in the VBS documentary created their own video response to the documentary: “VAMP responds to betrayal by Prostitutes of God film.” … More Indian Sex Workers Produce Video Response to “Prostitutes of God” Documentary

Image of a passport page featuring Norrie May-Welby's name and photo; "not specified" is written under the category "sex."

2010 – Trans* Sex Worker Activist Norrie May-Welby Instigates Legal Challenge to Have Gender Recognised as ‘Non-Specific’ (Australia)

2010-04-30

In 2010, a media-savvy Sydney-based trans*sex worker and community activist, Norrie May-Welby, initiated court proceedings against the New South Wales (NSW) Government Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to have their gender recognised as ‘non-specific’ on official documents. After a protracted legal battle which lasted for 4 years, in April 2014, the High Court ruled that it was within the Registry’s power to record and issue Norrie with documents identifying a ‘not specific’ gender. … More 2010 – Trans* Sex Worker Activist Norrie May-Welby Instigates Legal Challenge to Have Gender Recognised as ‘Non-Specific’ (Australia)

Outdoor group photo featuring Surang Janyam, SWING staff and Thai police cadets

Surang Janyam Wins Human Rights Defenders Award

2009-06-05

In 2009, Surang Janyam, Director of the Service Workers In Group (SWING) Foundation, Thailand, was awarded the Human Rights Defenders Award by the Thai National Human Rights Commission. Ms. Janyam is a co-founder of SWING, a sex worker network established in 2004, which provides support, education, referral, counselling, outreach, and advocacy to male and trans* sex workers. … More Surang Janyam Wins Human Rights Defenders Award

Scarlet Alliance - Australian Sex Workers Association - The National Needs Assessment of sex workers who live with HIV 2008

2008 – National Needs Assessment for Sex Workers Living with HIV (Australia)

2008-12-02

In 2008, Scarlet Alliance undertook a national needs assessment research project to identify the systemic barriers impacting on HIV-positive sex workers. The needs assessment was coordinated by a self-disclosed HIV-positive sex worker, and was subsequently shared with local and national government, civil society and internationally. … More 2008 – National Needs Assessment for Sex Workers Living with HIV (Australia)

Indoor group photo of APNSW members receiving award

Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers Receives International Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights

2008-08-06

The Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers was awarded the 2008 annual International Award of Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch. The award was presented to APNSW on 6 August 2008, at the International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, in recognition of APNSW’s work on issues affecting sex workers in Asia and the Pacific. … More Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers Receives International Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights

Nepalese Sex Workers Undertake a Semi-Naked Protest Outside Kathmandu’s Government House

2007-08-22

In August 2007, female Nepalese sex workers, including many from the highly marginalised Badi ethnic minority group, undertook a mass demonstration that included public nudity in front of Government House in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. … More Nepalese Sex Workers Undertake a Semi-Naked Protest Outside Kathmandu’s Government House