In Europe and Central Asia, migrant sex workers are particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse. Criminalisation of sex work and migration create conditions of vulnerabilities for sex workers and impunity for those willing to exploit or abuse them. The conflation of sex work and trafficking also limits sex workers’ capacities to self-organise and access justice and rights.
Violence, criminalisation, deportation, inability to access justice and lack of access to healthcare and social services are some of the issues faced by migrant sex workers’ communities in our region. However, migrant sex workers and their organisations are resisting those legal and social oppressions and are organising for their rights. To support this self-organisation and to advocate for the realisation of migrant sex workers’ rights and those trafficked in the sex industry, ICRSE is proud to inaugurate a new two-year programme titled ‘empowering (migrant) sex workers to tackle exploitation and trafficking in the sex industry’. This programme is possible thanks to a grant from Oak Foundation.
ICRSE is inviting its members – in particular sex worker-led organisations – to apply for participation in our new programme.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5 DECEMBER 2018
The aim of the project is two-fold:
1. Building capacities of sex workers’ rights organisations in addressing exploitation and trafficking in the sex industry 2. Advocating for the rights of (migrant) sex workers and people trafficked in the sex industry at national and European level
Criteria for selection:
- Membership of ICRSE - Ability to manage small grant and ensure financial and narrative reporting - Previous work or interest in working on the topics of migration and exploitation - Inclusion of migrant sex workers - Geographical diversity - Ability to participate in two regional convenings (initially planned for March/April 2019 and June/July 2020) - Ability to work with ICRSE team in collecting evidence and data on sex work, migration, exploitation and trafficking - Good connection and working relation with local NGOs working in the fields of sex work, migration, labour, trafficking and related issues.
By submitting the application form, I confirm that my group/organisation fits the application criteria.