ASWA

In 2024, the African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) made significant strides in advancing the rights, health, and well-being of sex workers across the continent. Through targeted capacity-building efforts, ASWA supported 12 sex worker-led organizations in southern Africa, strengthening financial systems, expanding HIV services, and increasing participation in national policy spaces. Our mentorship program nurtured young leaders from 13 countries, equipping them with advocacy, leadership, and organizational skills to lead impactful change in their communities.

ASWA continued to champion the inclusion of sex workers in health, legal, and human rights frameworks at national, regional, and global levels. From actively contributing to HIV prevention innovations like injectable ARVs and PrEP rings, to boldly challenging harmful narratives at the UN Human Rights Council, our advocacy remained rooted in the lived experiences of sex workers. Our data-driven campaign against violence, supported by Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), empowered sex worker-led groups to collect, document, and use evidence to influence policies and secure commitments from duty bearers.

As we look ahead to the development of our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, ASWA reaffirms its commitment to decriminalization, equity, and inclusion. We remain dedicated to amplifying the voices of sex workers, building strong partnerships, and driving policy reforms that uphold dignity, safety, and justice for all. To read more, download our Annual Report 2024.