Where our members work

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.

NSWP is seeking to appoint a Global Consultant to develop a Smart Sex Worker’s Guide on Social Protection and Sex Work. NSWP will consider applications from individuals based in or outside of the UK.

Sex worker groups around the world hold events and actions to mark International Sex Workers’ Rights Day, which is held annually on 3rd March.

Sex workers in Peru are demanding justice and an end to violence after the murder of two Ecuadorian migrants on 19 February 2022. The police found 28 bullet shells at the scene and another sex worker and a passer-by were also injured in the attack.

Last week brought the announcement that Victoria had become the third jurisdiction in Australia to ‘decriminalise sex work’. The Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2021 Bill passed just before 8.30pm on Thursday 10th February, 24 votes to 10.

While sex worker-led organisations in Australia have welcomed the passage of the Bill, they have also drawn attention to amendments which must be made for Victoria to achieve full decriminalisation.

Today NSWP have published the first videos on the Sex Workers Speak Out video wall. This project gives sex workers the chance to speak out about sex work and decent work; and sex work, sexual and reproductive health & rights (SRHR) and bodily autonomy. 

The African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA) has developed a sex workers’ murder monitoring tool for mapping murders and other cases of violence against sex workers in Africa.

Announcing the launch of the tool, ASWA said: “There is lack of sufficient, consolidated, verified and analysed data on a single report on violence against sex workers in Africa.”

Workers at NSWP member organisation Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project became the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in September. The CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with 700,000 members across the country. Maggie’s and the CUPE released a joint statement to celebrate this milestone, which can be read below or on the Maggie’s website.

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 2021 on 14 September with in-person events, digital events, and sharing achievements across social media and online networks.

NSWP mourn the passing of a leader in the fight for sex workers' rights, Manjula Ramaiah. Manjula passed away in June from COVID-19 complications.

Manjula was a strong leader and frontline worker who founded sex worker community networks and served on the board of several key organisations as a champion for the human rights of sex workers and those living with HIV.

NSWP mourn the passing of a leader in the fight for sex workers' rights, Manjula Ramaiah. Manjula passed away in June from COVID-19 complications.

Manjula was a strong leader and frontline worker who founded sex worker community networks and served on the board of several key organisations as a champion for the human rights of sex workers and those living with HIV.

Red Umbrella Fund provides flexible core funding to support the general coordination, functioning and strengthening of a group, organisation or network and its members.

The All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW), a collective of 5 million sex workers in India and a member of NSWP, last week wrote to the Delhi government demanding better access to vaccines for sex workers and transgender people.

The Hindustan Times reported on the letter, including quotes from AINSW.

The Multi-Stakeholder Task Force has issued a statement welcoming the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS but also drawing attention to critical omissions and weaknesses within the declaration.

To coincide with the start of the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV & AIDS, NSWP has joined STOPAIDS and over 140 cross-party MPs and leaders in the HIV response in writing to the UK Government.