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At the @AWID Under the Same Umbrella: Feminism and Sex Workers' Rights event, loving the fact sheets available here: https://www.mamacash.org/en/counting-sex-workers-in-campaign
Hope @SWAIIreland are here, fabulous event led by the @redumbrellafund...
Kay Thi Win speaking about how she started to fight for women's rights, and in particular sex workers' rights. #AWIDSexWork
Vera Rodriguez speaking about the symbolism of the red umbrella for sex worker activists. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Next up is @GeetaMisra of CREA speaking about growing up with images of good and bad women, and thinking that bad women appeared to have more fun. As a programme officer with HIV/AIDS groups, she learnt more about sex workers. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Geeta speaks about trying to live in a state of suspended judgement, to understand sex workers' struggles and ideas. This has allowed us to strengthen our demands now, when confronting abolitionists and policy makers. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Geeta works with CREA: https://creaworld.org/resource/aint-i-a-women-report-of-global-dialogue-bw-sex-workers-movement-and-stop-vaw/
Geeta notes that for many feminists, violence against women is the main hook. This often excludes sex workers. Why are some feminists stratifying women and suggesting that some people are less worthy of protecting, less worthy of human rights? #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Why do we not apply our feminist principles to sex work? Aren't we feeding into the same notions of chastity and honour? As feminists we have asked for participation in policy-making spaces, sex workers deserve the same respect. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Providing sewing machines so that sex workers can become tailors, as this is respectable, as opposed to sex work, is this feminist? Conversations are needed with local, regional, national & international feminist organisations, ensuring sex workers are centred. #FeministRealities
Watching a video now from CREA: #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Kay Thi Win works with @apnsw - funding rarely comes to grassroots organisations, it goes to bigger NGOs. They focus on legal and policy change, decriminalisation, HIV, domestic violence. They partner with the women's rights movement. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Vera is explaining the difference between legalisation and decriminalisation. In Germany, mandatory registration meant that only a small percentage of sex workers were able to work legally, due to residency/citizenship requirements. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Kay Thi echoes that @apnsw are seeking decriminalisation, not legalisation. This is important so that sex workers are not surveilled by law enforcement and government. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
As sex worker allies, one must fight with other feminist organisations. We have to honour the self-led nature of sex worker movements, act as an ally, and unlearn the need to be the leader. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
We must understand our power, privilege, violence, and how we inadvertently harm people in our feminist activism if we speak over them. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Vera talking about client criminalisation or the "Nordic model". It increases stigmatisation of sex workers, and drives sex work underground, making it more dangerous. Kay Thi echoes the harm done to sex workers by the Nordic model, as it forces sex workers into dangerous places.
Kay Thi notes that levels of STIs, HIV, and unwanted pregnancies would increase, as well as levels of violence and rape against sex workers. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork #SexWorkerRights
@GeetaMisra notes that the Nordic model places sex workers at risk of homelessness, as landlords do not want to be prosecuted as brothel-keepers. #NoToTheNordicModel #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
Participants share their feelings at the end of an enriching and energising session on sex workers' rights, and the importance of sensitive allyship for all feminists. #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork #DecriminaliseForSafety #SupportSafeSexWork #DecrimForSafety
Gorgeous session, thank you @AWID @GeetaMisra @apnsw @redumbrellafund #FeministRealities #SexWorkIsWork
