“If we remain silent, decisions will continue to be made about us without us.” For Andreas (not his real name), a male sex worker in Oshikango, Namibia, this is more than a statement. It is a reality that shapes
Read MorePhoto Credit: UNAIDS The decision to preserve UNAIDS marks an important moment for the global HIV response, particularly for communities that continue to face barriers to HIV prevention, treatment and care. On 26 October 2026, the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating
Read MoreHIV prevention is changing. New options are expanding the ways we can protect our health, while shifts in funding are raising questions about the future of services our communities rely on. For sex workers across Africa, these developments matter
Read MoreFrom stigma in healthcare facilities to limited prevention choices and exclusion from decision-making, young African sex workers are calling for services that recognise their needs, respect their choices and listen to their voices. What does access to healthcare really
Read MoreA reflection on Sexual Health Awareness Month September was Sexual Health Awareness Month, a time to talk openly about sexual health, the choices people should have over their bodies, and the services everyone should be able to access. For
Read MoreASWA Marks Sex Worker Pride Day 2026 On 14 September, sex workers across Africa and around the world marked Sex Worker Pride Day. First marked in 2019, Sex Worker Pride Day is an opportunity to celebrate sex workers, our
Read MoreFor more than three decades, Esther* has lived and worked as a sex worker in Namibia. For more than 25 years, she has also been a sex worker-rights and human-rights community activist, dedicating her life to strengthening the rights,
Read MoreThe 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.
Read More"I became a sex worker because I had no other choice," says Nomalungelo Mvoti, a sex worker and single mother from Eswatini. Mvoti's life changed forever when she was just 15 years old. After she was raped by her
Read MoreEswatini has made remarkable progress in its fight against HIV over the past decade. Despite having one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world—with approximately 24.8% of adults living with the virus—the country has achieved the UNAIDS
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