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PRESS STATEMENT IN COMMEMORATION OF WORLD AIDS DAY 2024

                                     PRESS STATEMENT

The Grassroot Sex Worker Movement Commemorates World AIDS Day 2024: Bringing Sex Workers to the Steering Wheel in the Fight to End HIV by 2030

                                                        Thursday 5th Dec 2024

Kampala, Uganda

Today, we join the sex worker movement to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 under the theme: Bringing Sex Workers to the Steering Wheel in the Fight to End HIV by 2030. This event is not only a moment of reflection but a testament that with God and unity, everything is possible. As AWAC and the grassroots sex worker movement, we stand together to thank God for the providence and recognize the strides made in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

Reflections on the HIV Journey

Four decades ago, Uganda faced its first diagnosed case of AIDS in 1982. Since then, the country has experienced immense loss, affecting individuals in their prime. Yet, through relentless efforts, we continue to battle this epidemic. The support from partners such as PEPFAR/CDC through it’s implementing partners, UNAIDS, the Global Fund HIV/TB/Malaria, the  Ugandan Government specifically Ministry of Health and the Uganda AIDS Commission has been instrumental.

Challenges Faced by Sex Workers

Despite progress, significant challenges remain. Recent findings from the Crane Survey, conducted by Makerere University School of Public Health, the Ministry of Health, and the U.S. CDC, reveal a disproportionately high HIV prevalence among female sex workers to 55% in some areas compared to the national average of 5.8%.

This alarming statistic underscores the vulnerabilities faced by sex workers:

• 32%are aged between 15-24 years.
• 70%have experienced homelessness.
• 78%have financial dependents.
• 47%have only completed primary education.
• 98%are Ugandan nationals.

Structural Barriers and Discrimination

Sex workers continue to face intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws that exacerbate inequalities. Criminalization not only hampers access to essential health services but also heightens risks of violence and harassment for example assaults, economic exploitations, arrests and extortion, raiding of hot spots among others, particularly for Female Sex Worker. Evidence shows that decriminalizing sex work could reduce HIV infections among sex workers and clients by up to 46% over a decade.

Call to Action

As we commemorate this day, we urge policymakers, stakeholders, and the community to:

1. Prioritize Inclusion:Bring sex workers into decision-making spaces to lead HIV intervention strategies.
2. Promote Decriminalization:Advocate for legal reforms that protect sex workers’ health and rights --including rejecting the passing of the Sexual Offenses (SOB) Bill, 2024. We have come a very long way in the fight against HIV&AIDS, we as a country with concerted efforts of all health and HIV&AIDS Stakeholders. Therefore non progressive Laws for example,, Penal Code Section 126,127, 128, 129, and the proposed Sexual offenses Bill, 2024 clauses, 12, 13, and 14 violate Uganda’s human rights obligations and also risk undermining public health, leaving the targeted people living with HIV such as  sex workers afraid to come forward for essential HIV testing, prevention and treatment services subsequently affecting the critical progress made in attaining the global 95,95,95
3. Reduce Stigma:Foster environments where sex workers can access healthcare without fear or discrimination.

Together, let us honor the memory of those lost and reaffirm our commitment to ending HIV.

For more information please contact; Kyomye Macklean, Team Leader AWAC Uganda Contact; +256774603754. Email; awacuganda@gmail.com Or Simiyu Melb, HIV Prevention Manager, Contact; +256786891882 Email; info@awacuganda.org