All Human, All Equal

Protecting the rights of sex workers: Evidence on human rights violations

The data presented in this fact sheet is for the period December 2020 – November 2021 and has been captured among sex workers in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe as part of the Hands Off programme. Peer educators, rights defenders, outreach workers, paralegals and sex worker focal points are often one of the first contacted by sex workers after they have experienced violence. These first responders document the cases of human rights violations using confidential and secured tools.

Capturing evidence on human rights abuses is essential to protect the human rights of sex workers. It provides insight if rights are protected in practice and can inform policy change and reduce stigma and discrimination.