17 Jun NEW INITIATIVE ON SEX WORK IN BOTSWANA
A new sex workers initiative in Botswana has included a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) component in their programme. The aim of the coalition is to end human rights violations of sex workers.
“The reason we are inclusive of LGBTI is because they are sexual minorities and as sex workers we feel much comfortable working with them, plus they are also part of sex work”, said Kyomya Macklean ASWA’s regional coordinator.
Decriminalisation of sex work and support from the civil society would build sex workers’ capacity to speak and act for themselves through partnerships with existing organisations where sex workers are not given space.
Sex Workers have been excluded in main forums and this partnership will enable sex workers who identify as LGBTI to come out and also the organisations that deal with sexual orientation and gender identity to create a platform for discussion. They may fear discrimination as they already stigmatized for not conforming to the social norms.