We are therefore clearly committed to centring the experiences of LGBTI and especially transgender sexworkers considering they face some of the highest levels of persecution and violence. That said, webelieve it is necessary to build a broad coalition which includes both LGBTI and cisgender / heterosexualsex workers.
We explicitly committed to supporting the self-determination, agency, and leadership of sexworkers in fighting for their rights in Morocco.Our organizational structure clearly reflects this commitment:- All strategic decisions are made exclusively by members who are sex workers.it has been agreed that our core staff team must always remain in majority composed of sex-workers.
Sex workers in Morocco face prosecution based on articles 483, 489, 490, 491 of the penal codewhich criminalize public indecency, homosexual sex, pre-marital heterosexual sex, and adulteryrespectively. Furthermore, Morocco’s legal framework makes no distinction whatsoever betweensex work and forced prostitution/human trafficking. Articles 497-503 also impose severesentences against all kinds of activities related to the practice of sex work (e.g. owning oroperating a space habitually frequented by sex workers, or merely living in the same house with asex worker). Because of these laws, SWers and their communities face constant harassment,abuse, and persecution from authorities. They also face discrimination and barriers in accessingessential rights, such as healthcare services or justice and protection from violence. Finally, thisrepressive legal apparatus also greatly restricts the ability of sex worker activists to gather and to organize.
- Community Empowerment and Movement Building
- Rights Advocacy
- Healthcare
- Alliance-Building
- Fighting Stigma