NSWP Launches Update to Global Mapping of Sex Work Laws

NSWP has launched an update to the Global Mapping of Sex Work Laws project, which maps sex work laws around the world. The information in the map reflects legislation (as of December 2021) that affects sex workers through the criminalisation of the sale and purchase of sexual services, and the facilitation, management or organisation of sex work, as well as other laws used to regulate sex work such as mandatory health checks and travel restrictions.

This full review and update of the information on the map includes updated references to original source material for laws on the statute in all countries, where required. Each country requiring substantial change was re-validated by sex worker-led organisations in-country.

The Legal Mapping project provides sex worker-led organisations and other stakeholders with accurate and up to date information on sex work-related legislation that can inform and support national and global advocacy.

A screenshot of the map with the different colours on top of it

Countries which criminalise sex work are highlighted on the map in three shades of red representing selling, buying and third parties. Countries which regulate sex work through ‘legalisation’ are highlighted in yellow. Countries which have decriminalised sex work are highlighted in green. The map can be filtered by these different types of law, and each country has its own page with further information.

Click here to view the map.
A full list of countries/regions can be found here.