Promoting the Human Rights of Sex Workers in Uganda
Friday 10 December 2021. Human Rights Day. This is the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status. This year’s Human Rights Day theme is ‘Equality, reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.’ IPPF Africa Region is committed to ensuring the protection and upholding of all people’s human rights, including that of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized populations. On this day, IPPFAR tells the story of how its Member Association in Uganda, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) works with partners to advocate for the rights of sex workers –a high-risk vulnerable group, and ensure they have access to quality sexual reproductive health services. When 28-year-old Nasiche* was introduced to sex work by her friend five years ago, she knew the risks involved. “I was scared I would be raped or beaten by male clients. I also feared arrest by police, thus leaving my children with no one to fend for them,” remembers Nasiche, a mother of four. But at that point in her life, Nasiche was desperate. “I had three children from two different men. Neither father was taking responsibility for their children, and I was struggling to put food on the table. My friend urged me to seriously consider sex work. She gave me insights into the trade, shared survival tips, and assured me I’d be fine. I took her advice,” says Nasiche, who dropped out of school in Senior 2. In no time, Nasiche was able to provide for her children. “I didn’t have to beg the fathers of my children for food or school fees anymore. I felt good about this and decided to make sex work my job.” Nasiche was however naïve about practicing safe sex, and soon became pregnant with her fourth child. “After I gave birth, I knew I had to protect myself from another unplanned pregnancy. My friends introduced me to a Drop-in Center (DIC) where I could access condoms and other health services including treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).” A Safe Space The Drop-in Center that her friends introduced her to is the Empowered at Dusk Women’s Association (EADWA) facility, a peach-colored house located along Bwaise’s streets. EADWA was founded in 2008 by female sex workers from the slums of Bwaise III parish in Kawempe division, Kampala district, who had experienced sexual and physical violence. They additionally faced stigma and discrimination, including in health centers. “It was difficult to access services from health facilities as we would be shamed and ridiculed by the health workers. We really suffered. EADWA became a safe space for us to meet, discuss our challenges and develop effective strategies about our work. We began inviting health service providers such as Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) to the center. RHU is an organization well known for its non-discriminatory services,” says Grace Kabayaga, EADWA’s Executive Director. We met Nasiche at this safe space, enjoying a boardgame with a friend. “I come here thrice a week. It’s a place where I meet my fellow sex workers and we talk about life, play games, exchange banter over a cup of tea, and just bond.” At the Drop-in Center, the ladies also have access to a wide range of reproductive health promotional material which help increase their knowledge on sexual health. Unfortunately, many sex workers, having come from poor backgrounds, can barely read and write. “It would be great if our ladies could enroll in adult literacy classes. It will help them negotiate better and avoid being conned. They can also engage in other income-generating activities. Having a television set at the center would be ideal, as the health education shows would help them gain more knowledge, especially for the illiterate ones,” says Grace. Threats of Violence at Work Just as she had initially feared, Nasiche’s work has not been without incident. Adamant about always using condoms, Nasiche has had to face constant threats of violence from clients who refuse to use condoms, or men who refuse to pay for services rendered. Nasiche however says that while the risks are still there, she feels better equipped to handle them. “I have attended trainings held at the Drop-in Center, facilitated by RHU where we are taught about survival tactics. For example, I’m now very particular about the bars or lodgings I go to. I only go to those whose managers are aware of the work we do and the related risks. Further, whenever I’m with a client who is threatening to be violent, I raise the alarm by screaming or blowing a whistle and the management quickly comes to my rescue. I must however ensure I pay my regular ‘protection fee’ to the lodge’s management. Such arrangements have saved our lives as sex workers,” says Nasiche. Sex workers’ rights are human rights Because sex work is illegal in Uganda, just like in many other African countries, women like Nasiche live in constant fear of their lives. They face threats of rape, battery, harassment, extortion, murder, abduction and trafficking, public humiliation, arrest, detention and denied justice. “I know of sex workers who have been murdered. Survivors of assault who go to police stations get there and are asked: ‘do you know the work you do is illegal, and we should arrest you because you are a criminal’? This prevents many victims from reporting assault cases,” says Hellen*, also a sex worker in Bwaise. Peter Ghali, RHU’s Project Coordinator in Bwaise, says RHU has initiated various strategies aimed at addressing the challenges faced by sex workers. “We educate them about their rights, and further link them to organizations that offer legal aid. We also work with other stakeholders such as lodging and bar owners, the police, local leaders and gate keepers, urging them to put in place measures that protect sex
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