December 17 is the Day to End Violence against Sex Workers. In 2003, an American sex worker named Robyn Few encouraged sex workers to hold vigils for sex workers who were killed for their work. The catalyst for Ms. Few’s call for a day to end violence was the confession of a man who killed dozens of female sex workers explaining that he killed sex workers because he knew he could get away with it, because police would not investigate these disappearances. This murderer highlighted the way criminalization makes sex workers a target for violence. In the 19 years since, International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers has taken off around the world, and HARC Bangladesh use the event to highlight that violence against sex workers is a human rights violation. Sex workers come together to call attention to the issue of violent victimization. Sex workers use this difficult and sad day not only to remember slain sex workers but also to empower ourselves to fight back against systemic violence in the form of the lack of attention to violence against sex workers.
The Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers highlights that human rights are an urgent priority for sex workers. But in Bangladesh, government, policymakers, and service providers typically think that the sex workers issues are STIs/HIV and condoms, and so they neglect human rights and structural interventions. Stakeholders that are not from the sex worker community, including government and NGOs, often promote “rehabilitation” instead of rights, but 17th December reminds everyone that ending violence and protecting human rights are the priorities of sex workers. For example, December 17 events have brought violence against sex workers to the attention of other stakeholders, including feminist groups that advocate against violence against women, LGBTI groups that may not have considered sex workers part of their movement before, and governments that do not want to be seen as tolerating violence.
The International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers has garnered much needed support from civil society for sex workers. This attention to violence and the social structures that permit and even encourage violence against sex workers – like the lack of investigation of violence perpetrated against sex workers, and the fact that in some places sex workers who reported violence were arrested for sex work – have demonstrated to donors the need to work to change the situation of sex workers beyond medical interventions. Understanding the enormous violence faced by sex workers has led civil society and donors to see sex workers as whole people with families and other roles in addition to sex work.
In 2022, HARC organized special meetings in Dhaka Bangladesh with sex workers and stakeholders focused on the importance of December 17th. Sex workers community members, policy makers and NGOs workers met with the objectives to
• Make visible sex workers’ demands, needs and priorities in the countries
• Show evidence that sex workers have other needs in addition to health
• Promote and protect the human rights of sex workers, and
• Mobilize sex workers to build awareness on human rights
Meeting discussions focused on the human rights situation in Bangladesh and sharing personal experiences. During the meetings, sex workers shared information about violent deaths of sex workers. Some sex workers shared their personal experiences during the meeting, including both personal and political experiences. Stories of sex workers who died as a result of violence in the past year were also shared during meetings. Remembering those who died was particularly meaningful in Bangladesh, where sex workers died in brothels. HARC held a candle-light vigil and Bangladesh Members of Parliament Aroma Dutta and Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary shared statements that show how much HARC has achieved through its advocacy with lawmakers:
“Sex workers groups/organizations around the word show solidarity to end violence, stigma and discrimination against them. The intensity of the stigma and discrimination can be felt by all sex workers at all levels and corners of society. From health care settings, to workplaces, family gatherings and neighbourhoods, sex workers have forgotten what life is like where they are respected like all others in society. Sex workers refrain from taking part in any activities in fear of their identities getting revealed, which leads to reduced engagement in activities targeting them. This is a vicious cycle produced by violence and it needs to stop now.” - Aroma Dutta, Member of Parliament, Bangladesh
“There is often little or no investigation or punishment for violence against sex workers. Even in some cases murder of sex workers often goes uninvestigated and, in some cases, unreported. We need to ensure proper investigation of any violence against any population including sex workers and ensure the proper justice. The justice delivery system must ensure that when sex workers are the victim all the complaints are properly reported, investigated, get trial and get proper justice. The message is everybody is equal and every citizen including sex workers are entitle to get full protection by the law.” -Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, Honorable Parliament Member of Bangladesh and Member of Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
HARC programs focused on community empowerment are effective and contribute to solidarity among sex workers. Niger Sultana said the 17th December program brought us together to build solidary to end violence against sex workers.” Morzina said “Sex workers were disconnected from each other due to political and COVID crises. This 17th December gathering brought us together and inspired us to work together.” Minu said, “In Bangladesh there are so many sex workers groups and they are not connected rather they are isolated from each other. The 17th December was a common activity and for all. These kinds of special activity bring sex workers together and empower them to work together to remove barriers.”
HARC has pioneered a community response to violence against sex workers. HARC combats violence against sex workers with a multi-pronged approach, including working with police to force them to investigate crimes committed against sex workers, and using legal support to help sex workers report crimes and bring cases against people who victimize sex workers, and educating sex workers about their rights. Going forward, HARC plans include making a yearly calendar highlighting days including December 17, Human Rights Day, and other dates that are relevant to sex worker rights. HARC will seek financial support for programming related to these days. Advocacy materials including video messages and leaflets can be produced for each of these days. December 17th activities demonstrate how successfully sex workers can educate stakeholders and service providers about the rights of sex workers. Sex worker organizations should bring in more stakeholders, including government representatives, in their human rights activities.
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