Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programmes with Sex Workers Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programmes with | Page 30

1 Community Empowerment

1.2.2 Fostering sex worker-led outreach
There is a difference between programmes that are done for sex workers and those led by sex
workers (Table 1.1). This element in the community empowerment process requires service providers
to reflect on how they can support a move from providing services to sex workers to sex worker
organizations themselves ultimately becoming the employers of service providers.
Sex worker-led initiatives operate under the principle that sex workers are best equipped to help each
other learn not only to protect themselves from risks to their health and safety, but also to promote
and protect their human rights.
Sex workers should be the driving force in targeted programmes addressing HIV and sex work. It is
not enough to “consult” with sex workers before creating a programme. Rather, programmes should
be based on sex workers’ needs, perceptions and experiences.

Table 1.1 Comparison of programme approaches from a community empowerment perspective
Done for sex workers
Programmes sometimes focus on how sex workers
can protect others from disease, and how society
can be protected from sex workers.
Often assume that knowledge and power reside
with the programme staff and managers.

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Done with/Led by sex workers
Programmes focus on sex workers’ collectively
identified needs and develop appropriate solutions.
Community discusses its needs before developing
a programme, and sex workers are engaged in all
stages of planning and implementation.

Involve sex workers in programme implementation
commonly as volunteers, not as equal partners.

Involve sex workers as equal partners in
programme implementation, more commonly as
paid employees or as community outreach workers
working with the community, not for an external
organization.

Monitoring focuses on goods and services
delivered and targets to be achieved.

Monitoring focuses on quality of services and
programmes, community engagement, community
cohesion and community acceptance, as well as
adequacy of service coverage.

Focus on building relationships within the health
system with health-care providers. Less emphasis
is placed on building relationships among sex
worker groups.

Focus on building relationships within sex worker
communities as well as between sex workers and
other organizations, service providers, human
rights institutions and similar groups.