VIETNAM NETWORK OF SEX WORKERS

TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE

FOR SEX WORKERS!

-------------------------MELBOURNE, 24 JULY 2014

CONTENT

1. Context of the Network’s establishment

2. Initial achievements

3. Opportunities

4. Challenges

CONTEXT OF THE NETWORK’S ESTABLISHMENT

- Sex work in Vietnam is considered “social evil”

- Sex workers (SWs) have to face with many problems such as sexual violence and exploitations by clients as well as “managers”

- High risk of HIV infection and sexual transmitted infections (STI)

- SWs have difficulty in accessing health services, vocational trainings and loaning program

- SWs have limited knowledge on laws and policies

CONTEXT OF THE NETWORK’S ESTABLISHMENT

- The Network was officially established on 18 Dec 2012 at the annual meeting of the Vietnam Civil Society Partnership platform on AIDS (VCSPA) with 11 member groups from 6 provinces/cities (Hanoi, Hai phong, Can Tho, Đa Nang, Nha Trang and HCM)

- Currently there are 26 member groups 16 provinces/cities

CONTEXT OF THE NETWORK’S ESTABLISHMENT

- Vision: VNSW aims towards becoming a professional organization representing sex workers in Vietnam, working with the objectives of improving the quality of life of and reducing stigma and discrimination against sex workers

- Mission: VNSW represents the voice and acts for the legitimate interests of sex workers in Vietnam

LAUCHING CEREMONY OF VNSW

DISCUSSING ABOUT SW ISSUES

INITIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

- The Network has started developing partnerships with government agencies, UN agencies, local and international NGOs, and other local, regional and international networks

- Contributed advocacy ideas and evidences for the closure of the compulsory rehabilitation centers

SHARING ISSUES OF SW WITH PARTNERS

VICE PRIME MINISTER VISITED VNSW BOOTH AT VIETNAM AIDS CONFERENCE 2013

TELEVISION INTERVIEW

ICAAP 2013 IN BANGKOK

ICAAP 2013 IN BANGKOK

ICAAP 2013 IN BANGKOK

STUDY TOUR TO CHIANG MAI – 2013 (EMPOWER FOUNDATION IN THAILAND)

INITIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

- A bridge to bring about the voice of sex workers to policy makers and law implementation agencies on developing and implementing of laws and policies related to sex workers (Amendment of Health Insurance Laws, Administrative Sanction Laws, loaning policies…)

- Trainings and capacity building for member groups on laws and policies

TRAINING COURSE ON LAWS AND POLICIES FOR GROUP MEMBERS

TRAINING COURSE ON LAWS AND POLICIES FOR GROUP MEMBERS

INITIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

- Creates a place for sex workers in Vietnam to share information, learn knowledge and discuss related issues

- Actively participates in the shared movement of civil society organizations in Vietnam

OPPORTUNITIES

- SCDI is the host for VNSW as it can yet to register as legal entity

- Receive technical and financial supports from local and international organizations (Bridging the Gaps, Red Umbrella, Empower, VUSTA - Global Fund…)

- The voice of sex workers is gradually heard

CHALLENGES

- The capacity of the Coordination Committee is still limited

- Member groups lack of knowledge on laws and harm reduction; lack of organizational development skills

- Lack of resources to implement interventions

THANK YOU