Hands Off 2 partners work to reduce violence against sex workers at community, national and regional level. In Mozambique, outcomes include a functional and sustainable national sex worker movement and empowering sex workers to influence policies and laws relevant for them. Partners are also working to increased police protection for sex workers, by working closely with the Polícia da República da Moçambique.

The programme’s primary target group is female, male and transgender sex workers, meaning those who receive money or goods in exchange for sexual services, either regularly or occasionally. In Mozambique, activities also target healthcare workers, policy makers and police officials and officers.

The most recent data on sex work shows an HIV prevalence of 28 percent among female sex workers. Around 29 percent of new HIV infections are among sex workers, their clients and men who have sex with men.

Sex work in Mozambique often takes place in clubs, pensions, hotels and barracas (stalls selling alcohol and other drinks). Sex work is common around mines and gas exploration sites in provinces such as Cabo Delgado. Even though there is no existing legislation in Mozambique that criminalises sex work, sex workers continue to report arbitrary arrests and corruption by law enforcement. Many sex workers don’t trust police and avoid reporting violence. Asking for support remains difficult, and a recent study shows that over 30 percent of the sex workers that experience violence do not ask for help.