The African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) amplified the voices of African sex workers at the Sex Workers Networking Zone (SWNZ) during AIDS 2026, with Regional Coordinator Grace Kamau delivering a powerful message on solidarity, movement building, and collective leadership.
Addressing sex workers, advocates, and allies from across the globe, Grace welcomed participants to the Networking Zone as a vital space where sex workers can connect, share experiences, and shape the future of the movement.
“It’s an exciting space for all sex workers… to reclaim our space as sex workers and to have this Sex Workers Networking Zone where we can come, sit, have conversations, and deliberate on our issues as sex workers.”
Her remarks came at a time when many sex worker-led organizations are facing shrinking resources and increasing pressure to sustain essential community-led services. Grace acknowledged these challenges while emphasizing that the movement’s greatest strength lies in its people.
“We are living in very difficult times… we are struggling with resources… but we have our strengths as sex workers. How do we use those strengths to learn from each other, support each other, and ensure that what we do in our movement, we do it properly?”
Throughout her address, Grace encouraged participants to use the Networking Zone as more than just a meeting place. She called on organizations from different regions to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and build a more connected and resilient global movement.
“How do we learn from each region and ensure the learning that we have helps us to build our network?”
The Sex Workers Networking Zone once again served as a vibrant hub for dialogue, strategy, advocacy, and community leadership throughout AIDS 2026. It provided an opportunity for sex workers from every region to celebrate achievements, confront emerging challenges, and reaffirm their commitment to advancing human rights, health, and dignity.
ASWA remains committed to strengthening African sex worker-led organizations, amplifying community voices, and advocating for environments where sex workers can live and work free from stigma, discrimination, violence, and criminalization.
ASWA also extends its appreciation to the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), ViiV Healthcare, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) for supporting the Sex Workers Networking Zone and investing in spaces where sex workers can lead conversations, build solidarity, and shape solutions.
As Grace concluded with the rallying call echoed throughout the venue:
“Sex work is work. Rights are non-negotiable. Sex workers do it better!”
