We are stronger together

For sex workers, mobility is safety.

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In Uganda, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the gender-based violence (GBV) context in a way that lockdowns, curfews and social isolation exposed sex workers in their different diversities (gender, race, tribe, class) to violence and coercion. They were unable to escape abusive partners due to restrictions on mobility.

Alongside, financial vulnerability forced them to endure various gender-based violations as criminalization further inhibited the community’s ability to report crimes perpetrated by clients and former partners. Further still, the lock down forced most of the sex workers to operate from their homes exposing them to gender-based violations from neighboring communities.

AWC partners mitigated the crisis by training community leaders to identify GBV survivors and refer GBV victims to appropriate available support. They also trained paralegals who were staged at different catchment areas covering a number of hotspots where members operate or stay.

Partners accessed a Ministry of Health support that enabled them to use the organizational vehicle and reach out to survivors for violence related support such as physical counseling, transporting members to safe spaces, medication and mediation services. Mobility as key to safety in times of emergencies emerged as a key learning.

Artwork by Nancy Chelagat.

Story curated by UHAI-EASHRI.