The recent Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, sponsored by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), provided a powerful space for SWEAT (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce) to advocate for sex workers’ rights and share insights into the critical issues surrounding criminalisation and sexual violence. Although SWEAT representatives attended and engaged in important sessions and networking events, we look forward to future conferences where we can showcase our own research and further contribute to these essential discussions.
Spotlight on Funding, Movement Building, and Networking with Global Allies
At SVRI, we were able to participate in insightful sessions on funding opportunities and movement-building strategies. These sessions are especially valuable as they equip us with tools to amplify our advocacy, supporting our goal to secure the resources needed to make impactful changes. Understanding diverse funding avenues and learning from the experiences of other movements also strengthens our ability to create lasting change in our work to decriminalise sex work and address the pervasive violence faced by sex workers.
Being at SVRI also enabled us to network with global organisations and movements that share a commitment to human rights and gender equity. This access to a wide range of international allies was instrumental for SWEAT, as these connections open doors for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and potentially future partnerships to support sex worker rights in Africa and beyond. These networking opportunities are a cornerstone of our advocacy work, helping us build a robust network that champions decriminalisation and supports research on the lived experiences of sex workers.
African and Global Sex Worker Networking Event: Creating Community and Solidarity
One of the most empowering aspects of our SVRI experience was the sex worker networking event we organised. This event brought together sex workers from across the African continent and other regions around the world, creating a space for mutual support, solidarity, and dialogue. This was a rare and meaningful opportunity for sex workers to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in advocating for their rights. The event highlighted the importance of community and solidarity in a field where isolation and stigma often overshadow progress.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Research Representation at Future Conferences
While SWEAT was honored to attend the SVRI Forum and contribute to important discussions, we hope that in future forums we’ll be able to showcase our research directly. As an organization that deeply values evidence-based advocacy, having the platform to present our own research would significantly enhance our capacity to drive meaningful policy changes. Showcasing our data and findings could further contextualise the realities of sex workers, particularly in regions where criminalisation leads to systemic violence and human rights abuses.
Building a Future of Collaboration and Advocacy
Our participation in the SVRI Forum marks an exciting step forward in SWEAT’s ongoing mission to advocate for sex workers’ rights and decriminalisation. The connections, sessions, and events we attended have equipped us with new insights and partners in our work. By networking with global movements and creating spaces like the African and global sex worker event, we are building a more unified and powerful voice for sex workers’ rights worldwide.
As we look to future opportunities to participate in and contribute to events like SVRI, SWEAT remains committed to advocating for a world where sex workers are respected, protected, and able to live free from violence and discrimination. We thank the African Women’s Development Fund for making this event possible and look forward to continuing to amplify the voices of sex workers on the global stage.
