Challenges to Rights based Interventions in Sex Work

1. Challenges to Rights based Interventions in Sex Work

2. HIV Intervention Strategy as implemented globally Standard design of HIV prevention program consists of: • STI Management • Condom programming • Health education and the focus of the program is based on B.C.C. (Behavior Change Communication)

3. Is it behavioral or occupational? • Women are in sex work not because of her/his behavior • A sex worker continue to engage in sex work not out of her behavioral impulse • A Sex Worker receive STI infection because of her work and the hazardous work environment where she negotiate her work

4. Factors that determine structure and functioning of sex trade…. predominantly control sexual practices… • Buyers control over the nature and type of sex practices • Legal status of the profession (criminalization) • Social attitude towards sex and sex work (stigmatization) etc.

5. However over the period the predominant focus was ... • To develop better communication strategy and attractive information packages • Searching newer tools and technology for (female condoms and some other) prevention practices • Imparting training to improve the negotiating skill of female or male sex worker

6. Is it the negotiating skill that determine the outcome of negotiation? Or the power equation between the two?

7. The issue is not just behavioral but linked to structures and to political, social environment

8. There is an urgent need to address • Written or unwritten rules/norms/customary practices in sex work settings • Analyzing and addressing power structures e.g. social, political or religious institutions (both formal and informal) that holds the key • State or Country specific Policies, Legislation etc.

9. The truth is….. • Police and administration uses all possible abusive practices (both as a protector of law and guardian of moral code) • Society at large consider selling and buying of sex services is an immoral act • They are seen as ‘victims’ with no power to change his/her destiny

10. Issues • Rights of Sex Workers • Rights to Sex Worker (Right to self determination)

11. Major challenges as identified in the prevention program are • How an individual sex worker could gain control over her body and exert her agency… • And in turn how to mobilize sex workers community in changing the unwritten rules & practices that govern the sex work settings

12. Putting sex workers at the centre stage of the program • Modifying the project implementation ‘organogram’ to create space for sex worker engagement • Development of user-friendly monitoring tool & research technique with the active participation of the community

13. Creating spaces - both within and outside the program • Effort to create “space’s” for the marginal community so that they could actively participate in articulating their views/and aspiration - within the program. • Influencing structures, procedures and practices which shapes and controls behavior and practices. • Establishing community ownership over access to relevant information and services • Influence policy makers (Social, Political & programming) to accommodate change/modify systems; policies and practices to enable individual and community to act based on their decisions.

14. Strategy to influence policies • Mass Communication through organizing / celebrating rallies etc. to communicate important days.(AIDS Day, May Day, Sex Workers Day etc.) • Organizing Week Long Mela (Platform to interact with general population) • Organizing Seminar/debates etc. wit professionals/ intellectuals etc.(Social Policy makers) • Developing media strategy

15. Through designing strategy to Empower sex-workers at individual, community and at societal level Capacity building through training /exposure visit short term placement/ shadow leadership etc.

16. Approach to HIV intervention should respect human agency • Members of the target community need to be viewed from teir own respective. They are member of an occupational group with a range of emotional andmaterial needs which are intricately linked to their life and profession • Their vulnerability towards HIV cant be viewed in ‘isolation’. It is an added element to similar other ‘risks’ what they negotiate in day to day practices.

17. Responding to the perceived needs of the community Education program - Initiated for sex workers

18. To reduce economic vulnerability through cooperative banking/ micro- credit There are around 9000 members of Usha Cooperative Society and their annual turn over is around $ 2 Million/year

19. By creating space for cultural expressions Around 120 members are part of their strong cultural wing called Komal Gandhar participated in number of National/International programs.

20. Building broader alliances to establish and to negotiate their ‘Rights’ with the mainstream society Taking part and voicing their stand hitting the streets (on different National, International issues e.g. against Talibanismagainst 9/11 attack,US invasion in Iraq etc.)

21. Articulating organizational Policies/Guidelines • Policy to reserve 5% jobs for positive people. • Representation of community members in Govt. bodies/National & international forum • Ensuring communities’ role in research / ethical Committees • Budgetary allocation for the upliftment of marginalized community (non - sex workers) etc.

22. Influencing Social Policy makers At micro level attempt was made to influence / orient and to pacify the gate keepers of the sex trade at. • At Macro Level:- • Organizing debate on ‘sex & sexuality’ with academician • Developing / participating in forums on issues of WTO / MDG etc.

23. The incremental engagement of the community & its institutionalization calls for:- • Proper articulation of the theoretical construct of the program (programming principle, code of conduct, ethical guidelines etc.) • Change and modification of the existing program strategy - including management structural of the program.

24. The very approach mobilizes community and create significant impact both in quality and coverage of the program

25. Expansion of the Program (vertically & horizontally) • Durbar presently run HIV intervention in 49 sites covering 40,000 of sex workers. • Engaged in Advocacy & lobbing activities to influence Laws/Policies/Legislation. • Run 35 non -formal schools for sex workers & their children. • Run Micro-credit program. • Support development activities of other marginalized community. • Engaged in Anti-trafficking activities.

26. ….. Creating bodies of control with mainstream society • Durbar has succeeded in creating a political space through constituting self regulatory board in collaboration with the government departments to prevent trafficking and entry of Minor in the sex trade. • Developed common platform with mainstream society to address issues like“Violence against women”, against stigma & discrimination.

27. Sustainability of the program • Sex worker’s organization has played a pioneering role in mobilizing necessary social support to stop further eviction of brothels • DMSC run 7 HIV intervention program, non - formal education programs etc. without donor’s support • Run Boarding school for the children of the sex workers • Run Self - regulatory board in partnership with Govt. depts.