Annex 1 - case study matrix 6
Key issues impacting community
Intervention
3. African Alliance of Sex Workers (ASWA): Fighting stigma and discrimination against sex workers in Mozambique ASWA is a movement led and organized by sex workers that aims to fight human rights violations against sex workers, advocate for access to services - especially healthcare, and for recognition of sex work as a profession. The injustice against sex workers in Mozambique includes: a. Forced unprotected sex. b. Expulsion from their homes by their families or neighbours. c. Public mistreatment and discrimination. d. Physical abuse and harassment by police officers as well as corruption in the police force. e. Clients’ refusal to pay as contracted.
ASWA is collaborating with organizations such as Pathfinder International, Population Service International (PSI), United Nations Population Service (UNFPA), Mozambican Human Rights Organization (Liga Mocambicana Dos Direitos Humanos), and the Lurdes Mutola Foundation. ASWA’s interventions have encompassed: 1. Training to sensitize the police on the human rights of sex workers. 2. Awareness activities with healthcare providers to make health service provision more conducive and to end prejudice against sex workers, as well as increasing the capacity of health providers to deal with the specific health needs of sex workers. 3. Community mobilization activities, conducted by peer educators in the programme, focus on the promotion of health services and preventive action (e.g. through distribution of condoms). 4. Schemes facilitating attendance at clinics were established with the aim of increasing the frequency of this group accessing health facilities. 5. Pressing parliament to recognize the rights of sex workers especially to ensure their health, security and the decriminalization of their profession. 6. Steering the formation of sex workers’ organizations in order to foster understanding of their rights and the ability to denounce cases of abuse and forced and unsafe sex.
114 Rule of Law and Access to Justice in Eastern and Southern Africa: Showcasing Innovations and Good Practices