Macklean Kyomya, Executive Director of AWAC, emphasized that sex workers often face stigma during health crises and are unfairly labeled as vectors of disease. “Every time there is an epidemic, sex workers are labelled as vectors of disease,” she stated, calling for targeted interventions that empower them to take a leading role in prevention efforts.
AWAC operates across 57 districts, supporting various groups within the sex work community, including those with disabilities and adolescent girls involved in transactional sex. Kyomya expressed frustration over the lack of resources allocated to support sex workers during this health emergency. She urged stakeholders to prioritize funding for protective gear and educational materials tailored to their unique vulnerabilities.
The workshop participants collectively called on the Ministry of Health and international donors to recognize the essential contributions of FSWs as peer educators and community advocates. “Nothing about us without us,” Kyomya asserted, highlighting the importance of involving sex workers in decision-making processes related to their health and safety.