NEW STUDY - 50% OF SEX WORKERS OF UKRAINE WHO ARE EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE DID NOT RECEIVE HELP DUE TO STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION

This article presents conclusions and recommendations based on the results of a study among Ukrainian sex workers (SWs) conducted in 2023 as part of the assessment of the availability and quality of services for SWs in the context of the military aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.  The assessment was implemented by CO "Legalife-Ukraine" with the support of CO "NETWORK 100%" (БО «МЕРЕЖА 100%») and funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

This war has a negative impact on the socio-economic situation of the SWs and the sphere of SWs service provision. We have information from the SWs that they are in a difficult situation - unemployed, often without housing, without assistance from the state due to their illegal status, without support from civil society due to high levels of stigma and discrimination. Despite the ongoing work of non-governmental organisations and government agencies within the framework of national programs, sex workers continue to experience difficulties in accessing medical, legal and social services, including harm reduction, HIV diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

THE PURPOSE of the study was to analyze the real situation in the field of HIV prevention and treatment services for sex workers and the changes caused by the war: to assess the level of accessibility, current barriers and the quality of medical and social services for SWs; to identify the main types of violence and rights violations faced by SWs in war conditions and to investigate the human rights protection capacity of SWs; to study current needs of SWs in wartime - in order to advocate for programs and services for SWs in wartime and postwar times.

A more accurate understanding of the needs and problems of sex workers makes it possible to identify effective channels for engaging sex workers in cooperation with self-organisations, HIV service organisations and state medical services, to increase the effectiveness of prevention, and to create a need for receiving medical and social services, especially regular HIV/STI testing.

In the process of developing the protocol for this year’s survey, based on the information received from SWs, several hypotheses were built regarding negative changes in the socio-economic situation of SWs and in the provision of services for SWs. The survey results should confirm or refute the following assumptions:

- In the context of the war, the incomes of SWs have sharply decreased, while financial vulnerability and dependence on sex work are increasing;

- The number of people earning money through sex work is growing;

- Martial law has led to a deterioration of access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs;

- Level of violence, human rights violations and legal vulnerability of SWs increases in the context of war;

- Stigma and discrimination are the main barriers that make it difficult for sex workers to receive timely, quality services and protection;

- HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs and services do not sufficiently address the needs of sex workers.

SOURCES FOR DATA COLLECTION DURING JUNE-AUGUST 2023:

•  343 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with sex workers. The average duration of interviews in different regions varied from 25 to 40 minutes. The interviewers were leaders of regional initiative groups of CO "Legalife-Ukraine", who have a certain level of trust among representatives of the target group. The planned sample (340 people) was fully implemented mainly through the "snowball" method, through acquaintances.
• – 1 focus group with 10 activists of SWs initiative groups.

GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE:

SWs from the following regions of Ukraine were involved in the study:

• -  Southern (Mykolaiv region - Mykolaiv city (Миколаїв));
• -  Northern (Zhytomyr region - Zhytomyr city (Житомир));
• -  Central (Vinnytsia region - Vinnytsia (Вінниця); Cherkasy region - Cherkasy (Черкаси), Kirovohrad region - Kirovohrad. Cherkasy, Kirovohrad region - Kropyvnytskyi (Кропивницкий);  Poltava region – Poltava (Полтава));
•  - Dnipro region - Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih (Кривий Ріг);
•  - Sumy region - Sumy (Суми);
•  - North-Western (Volyn region - Lutsk (Луцьк)).

CONCLUSIONS.

Most of the hypotheses about the sharp deterioration of the socio-economic situation of the SWs, built at the stage of developing the research protocol, were confirmed by the survey results.

With regard to the sharp deterioration in the availability of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services, the survey showed that in the government-controlled areas, the SWs continue to receive services and, in most cases there are no risks of HIV treatment interruption and drug addiction treatment interruption.

However, it is worrying that in the last survey in 2022, all respondents with a positive HIV status reported receiving ART (Antiretroviral therapy), while this year only 45% of respondents were on ART.

The majority of key populations are physically, psychologically (emotionally) and economically vulnerable, with problems such as loneliness, lack of support, including financial support, from their husbands, partners, etc. This vulnerability has been exacerbated by the war and the general economic crisis in the state.

Before the war, the well-being of most SWs depended directly on their work in sex industry. Today, the majority of them (≈70%) claim that providing sex services has become more dangerous. Some SWs (31%) were forced to leave sex work altogether, but due to financial difficulties, two-thirds of them eventually returned to sex work. At the same time, there are those who were forced to start providing sex services (15% of respondents) precisely because of the difficulties caused by the war.

Based on these results, it can be assumed that the number of people earning money from sex work is increasing.

This is due to an increase in the number of those SWs who did not provide sex work before the war, but are now forced to do so due to a sharp deterioration in their financial situation, and an increase in the number of SWs that have adapted to the conditions of the war and are returning to sex work. It should be noted that the average age of women who were forced to engage in sex work because of the war is 34 years old.

85% of them said that their financial situation had deteriorated sharply compared to previous "peaceful" years.

The low educational level of SWs (40% of respondents did not study anywhere other than secondary school, including 15% who did not even complete secondary education) only increases their dependence on sex work, preventing them from finding work in other areas. Only 10% of SWs have additional jobs/businesses other than sex work. 41% of SWs have no other sources of income besides sex work. 42% are forced to receive charitable assistance.

Receipt of services in Medical Institutions (MI) over the past year

In general, the survey data show that most participants are concerned about protecting their health and have sufficient awareness of available services. However, due to the existing barriers, most of the SWs seek services from the MI (Medical Institutions) only in case of emergency, and they do not feel safe and they try to hide their affiliation to one or another group.

Almost one fifth (18%) of respondents did not visited the MI at all in the last year, while most of them (87%) received services from NGOs: HIV testing, humanitarian aid, condoms, consultations with social workers, psychologists and paralegals, etc.

16% of respondents do not have declarations with family doctors today: one third of them say they cannot find a free doctor (all places are occupied), another 40% believe that they do not need to or do not have free time to complete the registration procedure, 14% say they do not have the necessary documents for registration (passports or a certificate of local residence, which is required in medical institutions).

The survey results show that almost a third of the respondents (33%) were satisfied with the services received at the MI, 27% consider the quality of services to be categorically unsatisfactory, and the remaining 40% were undecided on this issue. Compared to 2022, the percentage of people satisfied with services decreased by 20%.

Unfortunately, stigmatisation and discrimination by healthcare staff not only remain very relevant issues, but are also worsening due to the war. Over the past 12 months, 60% of those who have sought treatment at the MI have been subjected to stigmatising and discriminatory attitudes from medical staff, which is related to sex work itself, as well as to attitudes towards the LGBT community, HIV status, drug addiction, etc.

Due to stigma and discrimination, those who have the financial means to pay for medical services prefer to go to private clinics. Others try to hide their status/identity, which negatively affects the quality of services.

Among the manifestations of stigma and discrimination reported by the SWs, we identified five main ones:

  *  Negative attitudes of medical staff towards SW patients:  38% of the SWs who visited the MI experienced humiliating, superior attitudes, especially SWs belonging to cross-groups: PWUD (people who use drugs), PLHIV (People living with HIV/AIDS) and former prisoners.

  *  Denial of healthcare services - 25% of SWs did not received proper services because they belonged to vulnerable groups (SWs, PLHIV,  PWUD , LGBTQ, etc.).

  *  Corruption, extortion of bribes/charitable contributions from SW patients - 22% of respondents.

  *  Disclosure of confidential information - 10% of SWs.

  *  4% of respondents experienced refusal of the MI to accept their complaints about the actions of medical staff.

Also, many of the respondents complain about the lack of narrow specialists and low qualification of existing doctors. Survey participants also pointed to shortcomings in the organisation of the medical care system (lack of technical support for electronic document management, queues to see specialists, appointments in case of acute illnesses, etc.) Such problems existed in previous years, but the war has dramatically worsened the situation and exacerbated this problem by creating additional barriers to access to medical care. Due to the overload of available medical staff, changes in work schedules, restrictions on movement and transport, the availability of these services is limited.

Receiving services by representatives of the SWs community from NGOs. HIV testing

The data analysis shows that most respondents are quite well aware of the range of services provided by NGOs in their regions and use them. However, 8% of SWs have not received any services from NGOs in the last year (compared to 2022, the number of SWs who do not use NGO services has doubled).

64% of respondents have been tested for HIV in the last 12 months, some of them twice or more times, and all of them know their test results (positive or negative). 26% have not been tested because they already know their HIV+ status. 10% of SWs who have not been tested in the last year indicated the following reasons: the facilities where SWs were previously tested stopped providing testing services due to the war, or SWs did not offer such services anywhere, or SWs believe that they cannot have HIV because they have few clients/work in a protected environment, or they simply do not want to know their status, do not have time and need for testing.

Compared to the previous year’s survey, in 2022 all participants with a positive HIV status reported that they were receiving ART, while in this survey only 45% of them did.

It is expected that for the majority of key populations (95%), it is more acceptable to receive HIV and AIDS services, including HIV and STI testing, in the conditions of HIV service NGOs or in specialised institutions (AIDS centres) than in state medical institutions.

To receive humanitarian assistance, information services, legal and psychological counselling, etc., they prefer to turn to self-organisations, in particular to CO "Legalife-Ukraine".  SWs note differences in the attitude towards them of representatives of service organizations and representatives of self-organizations.

Self-organisations provide more humanitarian assistance, psychological support, accompany and help restore the rights of the community, and have warm and open relationships with community leaders.

In service organizations, SWs face a more formal attitude towards themselves and limited services. According to SWs, they feel more secure in self-organisations, so they are not afraid to talk openly about themselves and their needs.

In contrast, in service NGOs, they disclose only the information necessary to confirm their status and receive services that correspond to their status.

7% of SWs believe that the war has a negative impact on both the quality and accessibility of services. SWs complain about the lack of the services they need from HIV service organisations: hepatitis C diagnosis/treatment, humanitarian aid, condoms, oral contraceptives, and abortion drugs.

85% of the surveyed consider the range of services provided by NGOs to be satisfactory. However, almost all of them noted that there are not enough handouts, and that they are of poor quality and lack of choice in terms of their purpose. Therefore, they have to purchase condoms, antiseptics, rapid HIV/STI tests, etc. at their own expense, which puts an additional burden on their budget.

Violations of the rights of SWs

Over the past 12 months, 57% of the SWs have experienced various types of human rights violations.

The most common types of violations of the rights of SWs:

Denial of medical and social services - 23%.

Refusal to accept a statement in the police - 6%

Refusal/delay in the process of applying for social benefits/state aid - 19%

Blackmail by the police/coercion to co-operate – 12%

Refusal to accept a complaint in state institutions - 5%

Dismissal from work because of HIV or sex work - 2%.

Deprivation of a place in social housing because of HIV or sex work - 6%

In addition, SWs often face violence, harassment, prejudice, etc. in their daily lives. This is especially true for transgender women and people with drug addiction.

At the same time, the analysis of the answers shows that a significant part of the SW do not understand what constitutes a violation of human rights and in which cases they have the right to protection.

Almost a third of the victims (32%) did not seek any assistance. Every third of them fears that involving third parties in the case may only worsen their situation, cause aggressive actions by the police, have negative consequences for their lives, such as disclosure of their status, deprivation of parental rights, etc.

More than half (57%) of those who experienced at least one of the common types of rights violations in the last year received consultations/support from paralegals of CO "Legalife-Ukraine".

Only a few (7 people) turned to lawyers, while 13 other SWs solved their problems on their own.

Every second woman (52%) has experience of gender-based violence, but half of them did not seek help. Those who tried to get help mostly said that they faced accusations of what had happened, humiliation, refusal to record the crime by police and personnel of the services, as well as disclosure of personal information, etc.

The overwhelming majority of SWs believe that it is the current legislation (criminalisation of sex work, PLHIV, and PWUD), its application practices, and the lack of anti-discrimination laws that lead to stigma and discrimination, preventing SWs from using most services.

High levels of stigma and discrimination by medical staff/service providers/police staff, especially towards cross-group SWs, forces SWs to hide their identities and seek help only in acute cases where their lives are at risk.

Additional needs of the SWs in social services on the basis of NGOs

The results of the study demonstrated that sex workers have a number of needs that are becoming increasingly relevant in the context of the war and are not fully met by both government agencies and NGOs.

Due to the war, the main need remains humanitarian assistance (97% of the SWs) in the form of food, medicines, hygiene products, warm clothes, etc., as well as technical means to help them survive the winter in the conditions of gas, electricity and heat/water supply disconnection: batteries, generators, flashlights, gas burners, heaters for different types of fuel, water purifiers, etc.

Also, in comparison with 2022 (at the beginning of the war), today:

•  The need for legal support, rapid testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs and accompaniment to NGOs, medical and social institutions has almost doubled;
•  The need for psychological services has increased by 50%;
•  The need for temporary housing and transportation remains urgent (more than 40% do not have satisfactory housing, 50% pay rent and 31% were forced to change their city/address of residence due to the war).

Respondents reported that it is very difficult to get help in crisis cases, as most social institutions for people in crisis are overcrowded with IDPs as a result of the war.

In addition, during wartime, SWs and clients of "harm reduction" programs note the need during wartime to reduce the frequency of visits and increase the number of materials (condoms, syringes, needles, napkins, etc.) given to clients. The same applies to the distribution of OST medications (Opioid Substitution Therapy).

Also, participants spoke about the need to provide comprehensive services available in safe and friendly spaces, both in NGOs/self-organizations and in public services. So that a person from any community, with or without cross-identities, could receive the full range of necessary help in one, convenient and safe place for him - at an NGO, self-organization, or state institution, at his request, with minimal expenditure of resources. This is especially relevant during the war, when movement around the city is limited and the schedule for receiving clients is flexible, and sometimes completely unpredictable.

Obtaining services for communities should be low-barrier: simple, without complex bureaucratic procedures, with minimal time spent and a minimal package of documents, with minimized risks for the disclosure of personal data. The participants believe that the development of the package of services and the assessment of their quality should involve more representatives of communities with similar life experiences, as well as the provision of these services, on an equal basis.

RECOMMENDATIONS

When designing programs and services for key populations, additional consideration should be given to the new living conditions and risks caused by the war.

The main problems faced by representatives of the SWs community during the war:

- Lack of basic resources for survival (lack of adequate housing, lack of food, water, medicines, hygiene products, warm clothes);

- Limited access to timely and qualified medical, psychological and legal assistance;

- Limited access to information about services and support;

- Loss of employment, critical reduction in income;

- Forced migration.

Addressing the needs of businesses in terms of resources and services

RECOMMENDATIONS TO SELF-ORGANISATIONS, NGOS WORKING WITH SWs:

Introduce/expand the list and scope of services aimed at meeting their humanitarian needs and improving the emotional and psychological state of the SWs.

To organize the effective redirection of their clients from the SWs to receive the services they need at the proper professional level. To do this, it is necessary to establish cooperation with state structures designed to provide certain services to vulnerable categories of the population (medical institutions, crisis centers for women, social services, pension funds, employment centers, police, etc.) and work with employees of these institutions to overcome stigma and discrimination against SWs.

Inform key populations about existing opportunities to access services, existing state social protection and insurance programs, existing HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs, and SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) and GBV (Gender Based Violence) services. They should have comprehensive, clear, reliable information in an understandable form and through accessible sources on the types of services, opportunities and places to receive these services, including explanations of practical procedures, norms and rights to receive them.

Additionally, in times of war, provide information on how to find free family doctors, restore documents, obtain IDP status and benefits, additional sources of income and rational use of funds.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT

Strengthen awareness and access to information on social services and support available in the country. Provide clear, consistent and reliable information on available services and support.

Provide training to staff of state services that provide support to citizens on the ground to reduce stigma and discrimination against vulnerable groups.

Ensure access for SWs to temporary shelters/housing in Ukraine that are safe, easily accessible, and open to everyone.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO DONORS:

Continue to fund and support projects aimed at meeting humanitarian needs and improving the emotional and psychological state of SWs, including social support/transportation of SWs to medical facilities, social services, establishing partnerships between NGOs and specific institutions, restoration of documents and provision of temporary housing for sex workers, etc.

Establish long-term partnerships with self-organisations, support funding for self-organisations, their organisational development and community mobilisation and advocacy projects. Fund and support projects aimed at addressing the humanitarian needs of the community, advocating for and improving services for SWs, including anti-GBV and SRHR services, projects to overcome self-stigma and self-discrimination, legal literacy, etc.

Ensuring access to necessary medical care for SWs

RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT, NGOS AND SELF-ORGANIZATIONS

Focus on building tolerant attitude to SWs among healthcare professionals. Conduct training for doctors of various specialities (infectious disease specialists, dermatovenerologists, family doctors) and paramedics on the specifics of vulnerable communities, paying special attention to debunking popular myths and stereotypes about HIV and PLHIV, PWUD, LGBTIQ communities and former prisoners.

Ensure a sufficient number of doctors/service professionals and improve their qualifications.

Make efforts to ensure that comprehensive services are available to SWs in safe and friendly spaces, both NGOs/self-organisations and state services.

Make efforts to provide low-barrier services: without complex bureaucratic procedures, with minimal time and minimum documents, with minimal risks for disclosure of personal data.

Continue implementing projects that provide social support for SWs to medical institutions, establishing partnerships with specific medical institutions to ensure friendly attitudes of medical staff towards clients.

Intensify awareness-raising and explanatory work on the possibilities of access to a range of medical and social services for the SWs and their immediate environment. Pay special attention to debunking myths about HIV, ART, and OST that are popular among SWs during counselling.

Improving the work of NGOs

The content, forms and methods of NGOs’ prevention work in the context of war need to be improved.

The development and implementation of new effective, emotionally and gender-sensitive interventions that take into account the specific needs and interests of the target group as accurately as possible, as well as the active use of modern means of communication, including mobile applications and the Internet (closed groups in social networks, mobile applications, SMS and others that use the medium to communicate with each other and attract clients) remain relevant today.

It is important to continue and develop this form of peer-to-peer work. Social workers in HIV service NGOs working with SWs should be people who have experience of sex work, as they better understand the specifics of this target group, can communicate with clients on a peer-to-peer basis, and find it easier to attract new clients and establish relationships with them.

Active work amongst Partners to overcome self-stigma and self-discrimination, improve self-esteem, personal growth, sexual and legal literacy, etc. remains relevant and is an important resource for increasing the effectiveness of programs in the context of war.

GOVERNMENT, SELF-ORGANISATIONS AND HIV SERVICE ORGANISATIONS should make efforts to study the needs of SWs and expand the package of services for SWs that will meet the needs of SWs, including hepatitis C diagnosis/treatment, humanitarian aid, female condoms, oral contraceptives, abortifacients, etc., and monitor the quantity and quality of available handouts. Representatives of communities with similar life experiences/identities should be more involved in the development of the package of services and in assessing their quality, as well as in provision of these services on a peer-to-peer basis.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT AND HIV SERVICE ORGANISATIONS

In war conditions to provide opportunities to reduce the frequency of visits and increase the number of materials/supplies (condoms, syringes, needles, napkins, etc.) given to clients, especially for those who live in remote areas, have young children/incapacitated parents, etc. The same applies to the distribution of OST drugs.

Improving access to justice

RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT:

In cooperation with self-organisations and human rights defenders, analyse and consider opportunities for decriminalisation of sex workers in Ukraine, as well as other communities (PLHIV, PWUD, etc.).

Develop recommendations for changes to existing legislation and implement laws that decriminalise communities of sex workers, PLHIV, etc.

Conduct National Information Campaigns to prevent violence and promote anti-discrimination legislation.

Focus on developing a tolerant attitude towards SWs on the part of law enforcement officials. In collaboration with self-organizations, conduct training for police and military personnel to explain the specifics of vulnerable communities, paying special attention to debunking popular myths about communities.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO SELF-ORGANISATIONS

Continue to develop and expand a network of paralegals from among community leaders across Ukraine to provide legal support and guidance to the SWs.

Strengthen training of the SWs on overcoming self-stigmatisation and self-discrimination, raising legal literacy, etc.

Joint advocacy for decriminalisation of sex work

The current legal regulation of sex work hinders the effective prevention of the spread of HIV/STIs/hepatitis among the population, and also leaves ample opportunities for abuse of power and increases the vulnerability of sex workers to violence, blackmail or extortion. The war has exacerbated this problem, highlighting the social inequalities and insecurity of vulnerable groups in Ukraine.

The SWs believe that existing laws (criminalisation of sex work, PLHIV, and PWUD) and their implementation lead to stigmatisation and discrimination, which prevents SWs from using most services on an equal basis with other citizens of Ukraine.

Decriminalisation and strengthening of anti-discrimination legislation will help them to feel equal in society, more secure, to get rid of fears and feelings of guilt, shame for their activities/status/identity, and to seek help in case of violence, to receive medical, legal and social services. We hope that decriminalisation will ultimately influence public opinion and reduce stigma around communities.

An important area of work for HIV service and human rights organisations should be the decriminalisation of sex work in Ukraine by advocating for changes in Ukrainian legislation. Such initiatives will help to eliminate significant barriers to protecting the rights of sex workers, increase the effectiveness of measures to combat violence, human trafficking, and involvement of minors in sex work. Decriminalisation of sex work is an important prerequisite for expanding the coverage of sex workers and their clients with quality HIV services, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on curbing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine.

Existing needs of self-organization of SWs

Community support projects are crucial for ensuring the survival of sex workers in the context of the war in Ukraine and in the post-war period. Given the criminalisation, social and economic disadvantage of sex workers, structural barriers and stigma, for many sex workers self-organisation remains the only way to meet their basic needs, receive medical care, psychological and legal support. However limited opportunities for self-organization and insufficient funding for interventions do not allow the needs of Ukrainian SWs to be fully met. Self-organization need increased resources and support for programs for sex workers aimed at changes in society and legislation, community development and advocacy, overcoming stigma and barriers, meeting the needs of sex workers.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO HUMANITARIAN ENTITIES AND DONORS

Establish partnerships with national and local organisations of communities of people living with HIV, PLHIV, PWUD, LGBTIQ, etc. to ensure enhanced protection, security and dignity of vulnerable groups, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The meaningful participation of groups in all decision-making processes, including planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of the humanitarian response cycle, should be facilitated. This includes ensuring access to international negotiations and coordination mechanisms.

Engage with the media to amplify local opinions and experiences of communities, strengthening their voices.

Provide innovative and flexible funding mechanisms that are accessible to local NGOs, including community-based organisations and those responding to the crisis in Ukraine:

- Multi-year, flexible funding that can include things like core and overhead costs.

- Reduce the bureaucratic and administrative burden of funding applications (amount of documentation required, simplification of reporting systems, focus on qualitative indicators).

Women’s rights and gender mainstreaming in war response

RECOMMENDATIONS TO NGOs, DONORS, SELF-ORGANIZATIONS:

Conduct collaborative research and analysis in the regions of Ukraine to determine the effects of the war on social and legal protection and the barriers that impede access by SWs to vital protection resources and services. This analysis should demonstrate that the representatives of SWs, PLHIV, PLUD, LGBTIQ+ are the most discriminated and vulnerable groups, and they suffer the most from the current crisis and are at greater risk during the war.

Establish long-term partnerships with SWs, PLHIV, PLUD, LGBTIQ+ self-organizations and collaborate with these groups to ensure that program activities meet the needs of the most marginalized groups. Support and finance self-organizations, their organizational development, community mobilization and advocacy. Support and fund projects aimed at meeting the humanitarian needs of communities, advocating and improving services for communities, including services against GBV and SRHR.

Develop and implement response programs. Ensure that communities are included in data collection, needs assessments, and the design, implementation and monitoring of response programs.

Analyse and address security risks to the SWs associated with response programs. This should include the integration of measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, including accessible and understandable complaint and feedback mechanisms, and the expansion of existing safe spaces for SWs.

Inform SPs affected by the war who are refugees or IDPs about how/where to seek asylum, protection of rights, access to support programs in Ukraine and in other countries.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENTS

Consult with communities to ensure that excluded groups can meaningfully participate in decision-making spaces. Support political participation and leadership of marginalised groups to ensure access to legislative and executive decisions. Implement state policies aimed at equal access to human rights for sex worker communities, PLHIV, PLUD, LGBTIQ.

Education and employment

RECOMMENDATIONS TO POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENTS

Fund and launch employment programs for vulnerable groups, such as female sex workers + PLUD, PLHIV, ex-prisoners, LGBTIQ, IDPs:

• Training, retraining and acquisition of new professional skills in demand on the labour market.
• Employment opportunities through private and public partnerships with employment institutions.

Team CO “Legalife-Ukraine”