The Soul Beat 228 - Sex Worker Health and Rights
In this issue of The Soul Beat:
- The Soul City Regional Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights...
- Programmes addressing sex workers in Africa...
- Research on sex worker health and rights...
- Advocacy and communication resources to support sex workers...
This edition of The Soul Beat e-newsletter is the second newsletter we are publishing as part of our partnership with the Soul City Regional Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which is supported by the Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication and funded by the Sweden and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
The project is being implemented by Soul City Regional Partners in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and involves a variety of communication activities focusing mainly on SRHR and youth, sex workers, and border communities. The Soul Beat Africa SRHR site forms part of this programme and seeks to highlight some of the work of these southern African partners, as well as share information about SRHR from across Africa to support the regional programme and other SRHR initiatives on the continent.
This newsletter highlights the work being done by Soul City partners to address the sexual and reproductive health and rights of sex workers - one of the focus areas of the programme. In addition, the newsletter includes a selection of programme experiences, research reports, and resources from a range of other organisations working to address sex worker health and rights in Africa and beyond.
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THE SOUL CITY REGIONAL PROGRAMME ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS
1. Soul City Regional Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights - Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
The Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication is partnering with organisations in seven Southern African countries to address sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues affecting youth, sex workers, and mobile populations. The regional partnership focuses on the effective development and dissemination of social behaviour change communication at country level to create awareness of SRHR and its link to HIV. Activities include the production of materials for sex workers, talk shows for youth, audio materials for truck drivers, as well as providing televisions and DVDs at wellness centres. The initiative also includes a knowledge management component, run by Soul Beat Africa, to collate and promote knowledge around SRHR in southern Africa.
As part of the SRHR programme, four of the Soul City regional partners conducted formative research, which was designed to help develop SRHR communication interventions and materials for sex workers based at selected borders between Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. While certain country findings are unique, there are some similarities across borders. For example, findings show that sex workers face many challenges related to violence, accessing services, and living with and preventing HIV infection. Many reported few programmes designed specifically for them, and suggested that there is a need for greater awareness, information sharing, and advocacy around issues affecting sex workers. The following research reports are available from partner organisations in Malawi, Namiba, Zambia, and Zimbabwe:
2. Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs for Female Sex Workers in Malawi [June 2013]
by Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication
3. Sex Worker Target Audience Research Report - Namibia [June, 2013]
by Desert Soul Health and Development Communication
4. Formative Research with Sex Workers for Kasumbalesa Border in Chililabombwe District of the Copperbelt Province of Zambia [June, 2013]
by Zambia Centre for Communication Programmes (ZCCP)
5. Zimbabwe Sex Worker Formative Research [June, 2013]
by Action Institute for Environment Health and Development Communication
6. Mchinja District Sex Worker Intervention - Malawi
The Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication is working with sex workers in Malawi's central region district Mchinja to promote sexual reproductive health, fight for the rights of sex workers, and work towards child protection. Linked to a national network, a district level advocacy group has been formed to, among other activities, promote testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) amongst its members, and help the police in crime reduction and child protection.
SOUL BEAT AFRICA SRHR THEME SITE
For more information on SRHR and to keep up to date on the latest Soul City Regional Programme activities, visit the SRHR theme site.
For information on issues specifically related to sex workers on the SRHR site, click here.
PROGRAMMES ADDRESSING SEX WORKER HEALTH and RIGHTS ACROSS AFRICA
7. SADC HIV and AIDS Cross Border Initiative - SADC
Launched in 2012, the SADC HIV and AIDS Cross Border Initiative is a five year programme established by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to improve the regional response to HIV and AIDS among mobile populations. The initiative's goal is to reduce HIV infections in the SADC region and to mitigate the impacts of HIV and AIDS on mobile populations and affected communities across SADC Member States, focusing on long distance truck drivers and commercial sex workers, as well as communities that live close to cross border sites. Activities include mobile clinics offering health services, as well as behaviour change communication, and HIV and tuberculosis (TB) information.
8. Strengthening HIV/AIDS Response Partnership and Evidenced-based Response (SHARPER) - Ghana
The Strengthening HIV/AIDS Response Partnership and Evidenced-based Response (SHARPER) project is designed to reduce HIV transmission among Ghana's most-at-risk populations (MARPs), which includes female and male sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people living with HIV (PLHIV), as well as the sexual partners of both groups. Primary activities include peer-to-peer outreach and communication, MARP-friendly drop-in-centres, cell-phone based counselling and health messaging known as Text Me! Flash Me!, and a rapid response system for those who are at risk of/have experienced violence. The project is led by FHI360 Ghana in collaboration with partners.
9. APHIAplus Nuru ya Bonde - Kenya
The AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance project, APHIAplus Nuru ya Bonde, is working to implement sex worker interventions as part of a comprehensive, integrated HIV and reproductive health programme in Kenya's Rift Valley region. The interventions are designed to address the specific needs of this population and to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Among other activities, the project works to promote behaviour change and good health through peer education, training, and providing health services. The APHIAplus Nuru ya Bonde project is implemented by FHI 360 in collaboration with the Government of Kenya and partners.
STUDIES ON THE HEALTH AND RIGHTS OF SEX WORKERS
10. Preventing HIV among Sex Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review [November, 2011]
By Matthew Chersich
The main focus of this report is to review the risk factors for HIV among sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa and the interventions that have been successfully implemented in this region. The report, its findings, and recommendations are based on a review of available published evidence. The report explains that prevention is the mainstay of the HIV response, and sex workers constitute a key population for HIV and STI prevention programmes. In addition, access to HIV treatment and care for those with HIV is important, as this can potentially reduce the onward transmission of HIV. Services must be developed together with the necessary structural interventions, promotion, and enforcement of the human right to liberty and security, as well as with the meaningful involvement of sex workers in the planning and implementation of any programme.
11. Silenced and Forgotten: HIV and AIDS Agenda Setting Paper for Women Living with HIV, Sex Workers and LGBT individuals in Southern African and Indian Ocean States [November, 2012]
By Caroline Nenguke Phiri
The goal of this report is to share the outcome of a consultative process with women living with HIV (WLHIV), sex workers (SW), and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals to develop a regional advocacy strategy on HIV and AIDS. As stated in the report, the impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic is felt hardest by the individuals who are infected or affected by the disease, and in particular by individuals who are especially vulnerable to HIV infection due to stigma and discrimination, poverty, a lack of access to education, health and other services that promote HIV awareness.
12. Key Populations, Key Solutions: A Gap Analysis and Recommendations for Key Populations and HIV in South Africa [2012]
This policy brief focuses on what has been identified as key populations (KPs) in HIV/AIDS prevention and response. These populations include men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, sex workers, injecting drug users (IDU), prisoners, and migrant populations. According to the report, because they are often marginalised by society and disproportionately affected by discrimination and stigma, these groups have become some of the most at-risk populations for HIV infection. As stated in the brief, there is a need for tailored HIV testing, prevention, and treatment and care programmes for key populations to remove barriers to access, as well as unique messaging and outreach initiatives.
13. Behavioural Study Report: HIV Vulnerability Among Female Sex Workers Along Ghana's Tema-Paga Transport Corridor [2012]
This report shares findings of a study that looked specifically at the association between mobility and the risk of HIV infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Ghana. According to the report, mobility and migration are not by themselves definitive HIV risk factors, but migration can make migrants vulnerable to high risk sexual behaviours because of the conditions they face during the migration process. The study was conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Management Strategies for Africa (MSA) and the West African Programme to Combat AIDS and STI (WAPCAS).
14. Sex Work and HIV in Namibia: Review of the Literature and Current Programmes [January, 2011]
By Matthew Greenall
This report shares findings of a literature and programmes review conducted to better understand the challenges sex workers face in Namibia when it comes to HIV prevention and care, as well as outline current related programming. Recognising sex workers as key population at higher risk of HIV, the objective of the review was to consolidate all known information about sex work and HIV in Namibia and provide an objective knowledge base that can inform programming and advocacy efforts as well as further research.
15. Prevention and Treatment of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections for Sex workers in Low-and Middle-income countries [December, 2012]
This report provides technical recommendations on effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among sex workers and their clients. Produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and the Global Network of Sex Work Projects, the evidence-based guidelines are designed for use by national public health officials and managers of AIDS and STI programmes, NGOs including community and civil society organisations, and health workers. The guidelines may also be of interest to international funding agencies, the scientific media, health policy-makers, and advocates.
16. Rights Not Rescue: A Report on Female, Male, and Trans Sex Workers’ Human Rights in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa [June, 2009]
By Jayne Arnott and Anna-Louise Crago
This report discusses how the criminalisation of sex work in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa leaves sex workers vulnerable to sexual and physical abuse, as well as extortion, from law enforcement officers such as police and border guards. In addition to documenting widespread human rights abuses against sex workers, the report describes innovative organising tactics among sex workers to redress these rights violations. The report highlights opportunities for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments, donors, and United Nations agencies to expand rights-based approaches to sex work that will ultimately improve the health and well-being of sex workers.
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17. Sex Workers: An Introductory Manual for Health Care Workers in South Africa [January, 2012]
By Benjamin Brown, Zoe Duby, and Linda-Gail Bekker
This manual, published by Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, was produced to help sensitise and inform health workers about the specific risks and health needs of sex workers in order to improve health care services and contribute to the treatment and prevention of HIV and other health issues in the community.
18. Making Sex Work Safe
By Cheryl Overs
This book presents some of the knowledge and experience gained by projects run by the Global Network of Sex Work Projects in responding to the health and safety needs of men, women, and transgenders who buy and sell sexual services. The book contains illustrations and examples of successful educational and development programmes in urban and rural settings in both developing and industrialised countries. It recommends ways to develop, implement, and evaluate strategies for distributing appropriate materials and information, encouraging effective use of sexual health clinics, minimising crime and violence, and providing effective social and economic support to sex workers.
19. Social and Behavior Change Tools for Female Sex Workers [2011]
Published by FHI360, this toolkit of social and behaviour change tools was designed by the Strengthening HIV/AIDS Response Partnership and Evidenced-Based Results (SHARPER) project in Ghana to help reduce HIV transmission among female sex workers and build leadership skills among women. The tools for sex workers include: a Training Manual for Peer Educators of Female Sex Workers in HIV and AIDS Prevention; a Toolkit for Peer Educators; HIV and AIDS Information Sheet; and several testimonials.
20. Interpersonal Communication Tools for HIV Prevention for Sex Workers and Men Who Have Sex with Men [June, 2012]
C-Change Namibia developed these interpersonal communication (IPC) tools on HIV prevention to focus on two key affected populations: commercial sex workers (CSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). C-Change Namibia reviewed existing national, regional, and international communication materials on HIV prevention for sex workers and MSM and, based on the findings, developed these session guides and picture codes.
21. Sex Worker Rights: (almost) Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask [July, 2013]
By Corinne Goldenberg, Sarah Gunther, Anne Lieberman, Jesse Wrenn, and Gitta Zomorodi
This resource is a briefing on why the American Jewish World Service funds sex worker rights organisations. At the same time, it is also an effective introduction to the concept of sex worker rights, and the sex worker rights movement. It discusses who sex workers are and what sex work is, the rights of sex workers in places where sex work is illegal, and introduces a rights-based approach. The briefing tackles the inaccurate conflation of sex work and trafficking, and points to ways that the sex workers rights movement can help to combat exploitation and rights abuses. It discusses why merely offering 'exiting' strategies is stigmatising and unhelpful, and looks at the harms of criminalisation, along with the benefits of decriminalisation.
THE SOUL BEAT ARCHIVES
To view the first newsletter related to the Soul City Regional Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, see:
The Soul Beat 221 - Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Youth in Africa
To view all past editions of The Soul Beat e-newsletter, click here.
Please send material for The Soul Beat to soulbeat@comminit.com
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