A story of change: Showing what needs to change

Aidsfonds and in-country partners involved in the Hands Off programme believe that gathering evidence of human rights violations is a crucial element in effectively advocating and working towards violence reduction against sex workers. When Hands Off began, Aidsfonds and sex workers embarked on a large study on sex work and violence. Across five countries in Southern Africa, sex workers and partner organisations were involved in designing survey questionnaires, trained as interviewers and sent out to speak to their peers. Results have informed the overall approach of the programme, and they have made a critical difference in the work undertaken by sex worker advocates.

We are now able to speak of an issue and not only speak about it, but bring evidence to the table. So that what we are saying has an impact.
– Hands Off partner, Zimbabwe