The Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights (GWIHR), a non profit organization, has organized a one day symposium in Umuahia, Abia State, to promote rights based Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), service delivery for sex workers in their diversity.
The workshop which brought together sex workers, healthcare providers, policymakers, was aimed at co-creating solutions and as well, fostering the rights of sex workers in the state, thereby, mitigating the challenges faced by this group in their day to day operations.
Delivering his lecture, the GWIHR Program Officer, Mr Isreal Ezeaku, said the workshop was important because sex workers face unique barriers to SRHR, including stigma, discrimination, and legal challenges, necessitating urgent action.
Ezeaku highlighted the benefits enshrined in the SRHR service, adding that if enforced, would address the issue of criminalization and societal stigma that limit sex workers access to healthcare, stop the violation of their rights and as well, exacerbate health disparities.
According to the GWIHR Program Officer, the SRHR as a Right, provide the sex workers the right to health, bodily autonomy and non discrimination. Regrettably, he disclosed that the National SRHR and health policies often overlook the unique needs of sex workers, leaving them vulnerable to significant health and rights disparities .
He said criminalization of sex work, coupled with stigma and discriminatory practices, often creates barriers to accessing essential sexual and reproductive health services, such as STI testing, contraception and safe abortion care.
Ezeaku further called for joint movement in promoting rights-based SRHR for sex workers, amplify voices, implement workshop outcomes to drive systemic change and as well, stay engaged through post workshop networks and follow up initiatives.
