Commercial sex workers in South western region have called for respect of their work by the community and decriminalization of what they do by government agencies especially security if the parties feel the sex workers can contribute to solving challenges especially combating infections like HIV.
Ms Naomi Mujuni, the chief executive officer Uganda Network for key population service organizations (UNESO) said as sex workers in the country, they need to be taken that sex work is a work like any other, it brings food to the table, people enjoy doing this work and it has ethics thus need protection from government, and acceptability from the community.
She was speaking at the precincts of a meeting for commercial sex workers engagement with local leaders and security at Embassy tours hotel in Ntungamo town on Tuesday.
Immaculate Nyamwija, the chairperson Commercial sex workers in Mbarara City said with key implementing partners including government only focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention in the sex workers, there is a lot being missed.
She said key challenges on drug abuse, health and hygiene, human rights but also consideration of alternative income activities need to be addressed.
The Ntungamo resident district commissioner Godfrey Mucunguzi, presiding over the meeting said criminalizing sex work was only affecting government as they are losing out in security and taxation.
The meeting was organized by UNESO bringing together both female and male sex workers and other key populations.
