Youth RISE and partners release a study on Young Sex Workers Who Use Drugs.
Written by Rebeca Calzada
The study is the result of a research working group that seeks to explore and understand the needs and priorities of young sex workers that use drugs (YSWUD).
What was this research about?
The research presents evidence and narratives from YSWUD regarding the core issues they commonly face. Discrimination and stigma appear as factors that deeply affect the lives of YSWUD and push this population underground, along with the lack of access to harm reduction, health, and justice services.
What were the key findings?
The research shows that the intersections of drug use and young age add higher risks for this key population, such as contracting HIV and other STIs, overdosing, and being more likely to suffer violence from the state and clients.
Calling for the rights of YSWUD, the document sets out recommendations that address the needs and priorities of the population, such as the decriminalization of sex work and drug use, the development of health and human rights-oriented policies, reducing barriers and improving access to safety and health services, recognizing the rights of YSWUD and policy measures to reduce the risks of suffering violence.
Who participated in this research?
The authors who participated in this research were: i bach, Maxime Maes, Josephine Achieng, Marie Schneider, Shukridin Tadzhidinov, Mercy Auma, and Uganda Harm Reduction.
The research was coordinated by Rebeca Calzada and Ruby Lawlor. Check out the full report here.
Youth RISE will be presenting the main findings of this report at a side event during the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, on March 17th at 08:00 am (CET). More information on this side event can be found in the flyer below.
