Where our members work

NSWP has submitted this letter to Members of the European Parliament as they prepare to discuss the report, “Regulation of prostitution in the EU: its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights, 2022/2139(INI)”. 

The report, from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality will be put to a vote in plenary on 14th September.

The European Coalition on Sex Workers’ Rights and Inclusion have also published an Open Letter.

NSWP welcomes the European Court of Human Rights decision to hear an appeal by sex workers against a French anti-sex work law. The ruling came on Thursday 31st August, more than three years after receiving an application from 261 sex workers challenging the 2016 ‘Prostitution Act’. NSWP join the European Sex Workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA) in applauding the 261 sex workers who stood up to pursue their fundamental rights.

Red Umbrella Fund's call for grant applications opened on Friday 16 June and is accepting applications until 28 July (18:00 CET).

We have summarised key information below but for more information and to apply, visit Red Umbrella Fund’s website.

The call for applications will accept applications in English, French, Russian, Spanish and this year they will also accept applications in Chinese (simplified).

International Sex Workers’ Day is held annually to mark the 1975 occupation of Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon, France. The church was occupied by around 100 sex workers, all protesting their criminalised and exploitative living conditions. Sex workers continue to mark the day every year with events and actions calling for the fulfilment of their rights. Each year NSWP focuses on the theme of access to justice on 2nd June.

This is how NSWP member organisations marked International Sex Workers’ Day 2023 across five regions.

Africa

In early May, Portugal's Constitutional Court declared the criminalisation of some third parties involved in sex work to be unconstitutional. Under current law in Portugal any form of organised sex work is prohibited, including brothel-keeping. Profiting from, promoting, encouraging or facilitating 'prostitution' are also criminal offences, and this also affects sex workers’ ability to work together and work safely[1].

Platform Layalat, a network advocating in Morocco for the rights of sex workers in general and transgender women sex workers in particular, released the following statement regarding the lack of representation of transgender women in the country dialogue for the new grant request to the Global Fund.

On 21 March, Ugandan lawmakers approved new legislation that, if adopted, would violate multiple fundamental rights and criminalise the LGBTQI+ community.

NSWP member organisation Transgender Equality Uganda explains more about the bill, its penalties, and its consequences.

NSWP member organisation Cairo 52 last week announced the first annual Egyptian Pride Day of Sex Workers. After discussions within the Egyptian sex worker community, the date of 2 April 2023 was chosen. The 2nd of April is a significant date as it is the anniversary of the Battle of Wazzir between Egyptian sex workers and British colonial troops.

NSWP is seeking to appoint a Global Consultant to lead the development of a Briefing Paper, with accompanying Community Guide, on the right to housing and the unmet needs of sex workers. NSWP will consider applications from individuals based in or outside of the UK.

NSWP is seeking to appoint a Global Consultant to lead the development of a Briefing Paper, with accompanying Community Guide, on meeting the needs and priorities of young sex workers. NSWP will consider applications from individuals based in or outside of the UK.

Carol Leigh, aka Scarlot Harlot, the bold and pioneering sex work activist, artist, author and performer, died last m

Carol Leigh, aka Scarlot Harlot, the bold and pioneering sex work activist, artist, author and performer, died last m

Sex Worker Pride began in 2019 and is an opportunity to celebrate and share stories of sex workers’ self-determination and the achievements of the sex worker rights movement. Sex Worker Pride extends to all marginalised by criminalisation, discrimination and stigma across the sex worker movement and celebrates the diversity within our community.

NSWP members celebrated Sex Worker Pride 2022 on 14 September with in-person events, digital events, and sharing achievements across social media and online networks.

Africa

International Sex Workers’ Day is held annually to mark the 1975 occupation of Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon, France, by around 100 sex workers, protesting their criminalised and exploitative living conditions. Sex workers continue to mark the day every year with events and actions calling for fulfilment of their rights. Each year NSWP focuses on the theme of access to justice on 2nd June.

Sex worker groups around the world held a huge diversity of events and actions to mark International Sex Workers’ Day 2022.