SWIM (Sex Workers in Myanmar)

Who do you work with?

We work with Female Sex Workers and have partnerships with 7 networks; Myanmar positive Women Network, Myanmar Positive Group, MSM network, IDU network, National NGO Network, Myanmar CSO partners (Alliance Myanmar,MSI, Pyi Gyi Khin, PyoPin, Burnet Institute) UNFPA, UNDP and, UNAIDS.

How are sex workers involved in your organisation?

All staff members are current or former sex workers. All members of SWiM are current sex workers. Our role is to support coordination and working together with the sex workers across the country on sex worker issues, particularly sex worker rights.

Which of NSWP priority areas does your organisation work on?
Oppose the criminalisation and other legal oppression of sex work and support its recognition as work
Advocate for universal access to health services, including primary health care, HIV and sexual and reproductive health services
Speak out about violence against sex workers, including violence from police, institutions, clients, and intimate partners, while challenging the myth that sex work is inherently gender-based violence
Oppose human rights abuses, including coercive programming, mandatory testing, raids and forced rehabilitation
Challenge stigma and discrimination against sex workers, their families and partners, and others involved in sex work
Advocate for the economic empowerment and social inclusion of sex workers as sex workers
What are the two main challenges that the sex workers you work with face

Stigma, discrimination, harassment and violence; poor economic conditions.

Describe other areas of your work

Establish self-help groups in whole country
Advocate laws related with sex workers ( Human Rights, CEDAW) to stakeholders in Myanmar Health Education, Awareness raising activities on sexual and reproductive health and behaviour change interventions to community, Advocate for SW rights day ( 3rd March).

Country
Myanmar (Birmanie)