Recommendation on UN Women's Approach to Sex Work, Sex Trade, and Prostitution

Source
All India Network of Sex Workers
Year
2016

The All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW), CREA, the Centre for Advocacy and Research, India and Lawyers Collective, and 43 sex worker-led organisations have jointly submitted this response to the UN Women consultation on sex work. They conducted three regional consultations with sex worker groups to come to consensus on principles which must be included in any policy on sex work. The participants of the consultations are calling on UN Women to ensure that the development of any policy be made through meaningful and inclusive consultation with sex workers. 

The principles that must be included in any policy on sex work include:

  • Sex workers rights need to be recognized as human rights
  • Sex work needs to be separated from sex trade and trafficking
  • Laws or policies directly or indirectly criminalising sex work needs to be expunged and an enabling legal environment for sex workers needs to be garanteed
  • Sex work is work and needs to be recognised as a form of labour
  • Sex workers' rights to social entitlements and benefits should be ensured 
  • Sex workers should be permitted to register as collectives/organisations/associations
  • Availability and accessibility of health services without any stigma and prejudice should be ensured 
  • The right of sex workers to marriage, custody, adoption and guardianship of children should be guaranteed
  • The rights of children of sex workers should be ensured 
  • Right to privacy and confidentiality of the identity of the sex worker should be guaranteed 

In addition to this response, NSWP has published a response to UN Women's online consultation here and has developed a draft framework for a UN Womenhuman rights affirming approach to sex work in response to a UN women e-consultation. NSWP is also petitioning UN Women to meaningfully consult sex workers in the development of their policy.

You can download this 7 page PDF above. This resource is available in English.