IN FOCUS: Conferences and Events Calendar
Summer is not only a season for vacation, but also a time to take stock of the events since January and to plan for the months ahead. In this issue we provide a review of the upcoming conferences and events so that you can apply and plan for fund raising in advance.
You said that most sex work in Kazakhstan is now in-doors in saunas, cafés, clubs, flats or by call. Can sex workers advertise these services in the media ?
Yes. They don’t say “sex work” because maybe the police would start checking in on them. They say “Beautiful charming ladies waiting for a charming prince” or “I can do everything and I will do as I wish !” Also, the internet is popular. There are websites where people can meet and under heterosexual contacts there is a spot “I provide sex for money”.
IN FOCUS
Meetings and debates: Fighting trafficking. Who bothers to consult sex workers?
The last decade has seen increased global attention and resource allocation to combating trafficking in persons, particularly into the sex sector. Debates continue on whether many of the anti-trafficking policies and programs being promoted are an effective response to helping trafficking victims, and what the extent of the intended and unintended consequences of these measures are on sex workers. Exactly how have the anti-trafficking models that rely on the criminalization of prostitution impacted trafficking and the rights and health of sex workers?
MONA is an anti-trafficking organization which believes that all prostitutes are victims. This is why it talks about “victims of trafficking and prostitution” together and claims that “any act of prostitution is rape”. In 2009 this organization has already held two out of three planed meetings with Hungarian NGOs and officials to present the results of a survey done in 7 European countries. The first of the two meetings was organized for NGO representatives. The second meeting was held separately for decision-makers.
„According to unofficial data there is a dozen of illegal firms dealing with prostitution in Vilnius alone. Their annual turnover reaches millions of Litas. According to the statistics, the economic recession is a very good time for sex industry. Sex workers perceive this and wish to be protected by law. Why do politicians ignore the existence of sex work business that has been flourishing in Lithuania for centuries? How often do politicians and prominent persons who publicly declare being Christian, finance sex industry by using the services of sex workers?
Sex workers from 8 cities and towns (Bishkek, Karakol, Balykchi, Tokmok, Kara Balta, Osh, Jalalabad and Kyzyl Kija) gathered together and proposed topics for the seminar which included sharing best practices and improvement of peer-education techniques. Regional health service organizations supported the idea of involving sex workers from different parts of the country.
With the help of a consultant from UHRA, the League’s initiative group identified several strategic directions among which are:
Since the New Year, there has been a significant increase in sex workers who visit the drop-in center. This increase in visits has enabled JAZAS to put to fruition new programs, such as English and Italian language lessons and fitness. These language courses are aimed at providing sex workers with conversational language skills and they also serve to create an atmosphere of learning and cohesion.