Supporting Sex Workers' Rights in the Time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated sex worker communities across the globe. Even in the “normal” pre-pandemic world, many sex workers struggled to pay for rent or food, access healthcare, or live free from violence, discrimination, and criminalization. The pandemic means that now many sex workers have to choose between risking exposure by continuing to work and not being able to pay for basic needs. Humanitarian and governmental aid does not reach most sex workers, particularly migrant and undocumented sex workers, leaving them without any means of support in this crisis. Authoritarian governments are using this moment to close public spaces, erode democracy and attack human rights. Sex workers are among the worst impacted by both the pandemic and the response. 

The good news is that sex worker movements have built solidarity and have the capacity to support their communities, if they have adequate resources and support. Sex workers were some of the very first to set up mutual aid funds to share resources, are experts in harm reduction and prevention, and have long used internet platforms to increase their safety. Our philanthropic pandemic response is incomplete unless we are listening to sex workers. We have an opportunity now to transform our grantmaking - for a more resilient, just, and compassionate world for sex workers and for us all.

This global webinar will invite funders and sex workers from around the world to share their experiences regarding the impact of COVID-19 on sex workers and what funders can do to support the movement. 

Moderator: Erin Williams, Global Fund for Women

Speakers: 

• Voices of Sex Workers From Around the World:

  • Grace Kamau, African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)

  • Jules Kim, Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

  • Trajche Janushev, Sex Worker Advocacy Network (SWAN)

  • Leida Portal, Plataforma LatinoAmerica de Personas que EjeRcen el Trabajo Sexual (PLAPERTS)

  • Ceyenne Doroshow, GLITS Inc., SWOP-USA and SWOP behind Bars

• Cleopatra Kambugu of UHAI-EASHRI

• KayThi Win, President NSWP

• Ruth Morgan Thomas, Global Coordinator NSWP

When: May 27, 10am EST, 4pm CEST, 5pm EAT,  7:30pm IST 

Please register at this link by Tuesday, May 26.

Sponsors: Sex Work Donor Collaborative, Global Network of Sex Work Projects