Let's talk about something that doesn't make the mainstream headlines: sex workers showing up and speaking truth to power at the United Nations. The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) saw something remarkable – sex workers not just being talked about, but actually doing the talking.
Breaking into the Boys' Club (and Some Feminist Spaces Too)
For those who follow international policy, you know the deal – sex workers have traditionally been shut out of conversations that directly impact their lives. They've been talked about, legislated against, "rescued," and theorized over – all without having a seat at the table.
At CSW69 sex workers tried to shift the dynamic. The Delegation didn't just submit written statements; they showed up, spoke up, and refused to be sidelined.
What Sex Workers Brought to the Table
Sex worker representatives weren't there for tokenistic inclusion. They came with an agenda:
1. Decriminalization Now
Not partial measures, not "end demand" approaches, but full decriminalization. Why? Because their lives literally depend on it.
2. Health Rights = Human Rights
When you criminalize sex work, you push workers underground and away from healthcare. For those following public health research, this link has been clear for decades.
3. It's Work, Period.
Sex workers showed up demanding labor protections, social security, and freedom from exploitation – the same things all workers deserve.
The Elephant(s) in the Room
Let's be real – even being at CSW69 was a challenge. Sex worker representatives faced:
- Visa nightmares (obviating completely your "occupation" to embassy officials)
- Limited funding (grassroots organizations don't have UN-sized budgets)
- Safety concerns (going public as a sex worker has real consequences)
- Institutional resistance (some didn't want them there at all)
Intersectionality Isn't Just Academic Jargon
The sex worker delegation wasn't about to let anyone flatten their experiences. They made it clear that sex workers are:
- People of all genders, not just women
- Migrants, citizens, and stateless people
- Racially and ethnically diverse
- From different economic backgrounds
- People with different abilities and health statuses
For those who have followed intersectional advocacy, you know this isn't just diversity for diversity's sake – it's about recognizing how different systems of oppression stack up and create unique vulnerabilities.
The UN March Week
Tuesday, March 11th was particularly eventful:
Making Connections That Matter: Sex worker representatives joined a panel on "Diverse Strategies, Achievements & Challenges to Safer Abortion Access & Decriminalization across different countries and regions." No coincidence here – the fight for bodily autonomy unites both causes. If you've been following reproductive justice movements, you know these connections aren't just theoretical; they're practical solidarity.
The Same Old Story: Earlier that day, they sat through a side event organized by France, Sweden, and Canada about banning all pornography from the internet. The real eye-roller? The Swedish representative confidently declaring that "porn, prostitution, trafficking and Violence Against Women was the same" – casually ignoring mountains of research proving otherwise. Anyone familiar with the Nordic Model debates will recognize this rhetoric immediately.
When sex workers tried to offer different perspectives on the problematic conflation of sex work, pornography, trafficking and violence, they were promptly silenced. Classic move – invite marginalized voices but only if they stick to the script.
Wednesday, March 12th
Inside the Parallel Universe: Amnesty International hosted the parallel event "Including sex workers in policy frameworks for gender equality" – a crucial conversation about meaningful inclusion rather than tokenistic representation.
Friday, March 14th
Finishing Strong: The week concluded with a power-packed day featuring:
- The CMI! Consortium Parallel Event co-organized with ESWA
- The thought-provoking panel "What's a feminist like you doing in a place like this? A conversation on international advocacy and global governance"
- A practical session titled "From Do No Harm to Inclusion: Toolkit for Funders on the Issue of Sex Work" organized by IPPF, NSWP, RUF and Sex Worker Donor Collaborative (SWDC) – directly addressing the critical issue of funding for sex worker-led initiatives
Was It Worth It?
Did CSW69 result in immediate policy victories? Not exactly. But sometimes success isn't measured in policy changes but in consciousness-raising. Sex workers at CSW69 changed the conversation, challenged assumptions, and made it harder to ignore their voices in future sessions.
Bottom Line
The participation of sex workers at CSW69 wasn't just symbolic – it was strategic. By bringing their experiences, evidence, and demands to this global platform, sex workers forced a conversation about rights, agency, and dignity that many would prefer to avoid.
For those following global gender politics, this marks a significant shift in how we talk about sex work at the international level. The question now is whether this translates into meaningful change or remains just talk.
One thing's for sure – sex workers aren't waiting for permission to advocate for their rights. CSW69 was just one more step in a long journey toward justice.
