In 2011, sex workers participated in a global review of HIV policy through the UN sponsored Global Commission on HIV and the Law. Regional dialogues took place around the world, and sex workers rights groups advocated for reform of polices to improve HIV prevention and treatment for sex workers. In sex workers' statements from around the world, similar concerns were echoed, including funding restrictions that impede prevention for sex workers; the criminalisation of sex work and the dangerous public health situations it creates, such as reduced use of condoms and increased violence; the use of other discriminatory laws to repress and punish sex workers; the exclusion of migrant sex workers; and the increased targeting of clients of sex workers. This IAC Washington Symposium included panelists from the international sex workers rights movement, presenting policy reform recommendations to improve HIV prevention and treatment for sex workers.

Kolkata, 19 July 2012: With over 550 representatives of Sex Workers Collectives from across the world arriving for the first-ever Global Hub of the International AIDS Conference hosted and co-hosted by Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, Global Network of Sex Workers (NWSP) and All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) respectively, “the time has come to deliberate the many violations and privations the sex workers community is facing in different parts of the world” stated Dr Jana, the chair. “This Conference which has been, for the last 25 years, a three-way dialogue between the scientists/planners, the people living with HIV and the most at risk communities has been thwarted for the first time by the U.S. Government,” he added.

Andrew Hunter, the President of NWSP, the Global Sex Workers Network said, “with the US now leading the fight for Lesbian, Gay and transgender equality we are extremely disappointed that they refuse to revise their restrictions on sex workers and refuse to recognise that we are human beings with basic rights.”

Ruth Morgan Thomas, the Global Coordinator of NSWP said “it is essential that sex workers be able to self organise in order to stop the AIDS epidemic and yet again the US Government prohibits funds being given to sex worker organisations, the most effective HIV prevention strategy, through the anti-prostitution pledge included in all donor contracts.”

Affirming this, M Bhagyalakshmi, president of the All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) stated that “the 5-day Global Hub will deliberate on the “Seven Freedoms” –the right to move, work, access to healthcare, participate, organise, be free of violence and discrimination - without which the community of sex workers cannot reduce their vulnerability to HIV.”

“The Sex Workers will strive to release the Kolkata Declaration which will be a platform that enables us to reclaim the rights that are due to us,” she added.

NSWP welcomes the launch of the report of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law and its recommendations regarding the decriminalisation of sex work, including sex workers, our clients, our families, and our businesses and managers. 

The recommendations are explicit in their opposition to the criminalisation of commercial sex. The recommendations are also clear in calling for countries to repeal laws prohibiting activities associated with sex work including, brothel keeping. States are told to take all measures to stop police violence and harassment, and to prevent other human rights abuses such as mandatory HIV and STI testing.

The Sex Worker Freedom Festival being held in Kolkata (22-27 July) will include participants from all over the world and will have video linking between Kolkata and the IAC Conference in Washington sessions and the Global Village.

"We are holding a 'global hub' in India because sex workers are not allowed entry to the United States by US government. The event will allow us to participate and give sex workers a chance to give inputs into important discussions being held in Washington," said Andrew Hunter, representative of the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers and President of NSWP.

"Sex workers have an important role to play in community responses to HIV and we will make our voices heard loud and clear from Kolkata ."

You can read more and download the outline programme for the event on our IAC Kolkata pages here.

You can also watch a short 'welcome' video from DMSC here.

See more media coverage of the event, including NY Daily News and Business Standard.