The Womens Network for Unity (WNU)

The Womens Network For Unity is grassroots representative collective of Phnom Penh based Sex Workers. The network seeks to promote the rights of Sex Workers to earn a living in a safe environment, free from exploitation and social stigma.

The Network hopes to expand to include all provinces in Cambodia in the future, but at this early stage, we work through peer education, advocacy and public education of our lives and rights primarily in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The network has approximately 5000 active members in 13 provinces and cities in Cambodia and we hope to be able to provide the same level of services and support to these members as those in Phnom Penh.

History of the network

The Network was formed in 2000 to provide a space for workers to voice their concerns and advocate to Members of Parliament and Ministers of State for changes that would improve their lives. Late in 2002, the workers collective decided that the existing representative structure, with local NGO's providing the conduit for advocacy, was not representing their best interests.

Early in 2003, a meeting of over 160 Female, Male and Trans-Gendered Sex Workers was held in order to decide on future direction of the collective. It was decided that representative elections would take place to provide representatives from the workers groups themselves. In future, these elected representatives would represent the workers directly and undertake peer education, advocacy and public awareness campaigns. The election process elected five Female (out of 15 candidates) and two Trans-gendered (out of five candidates) representatives who have formed a Secretariat. The Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) group will elect members for their representation at a later date.

The Womyn's Agenda For Change (WAC) Project is providing a space for the Secretariat to operate and is assisting in providing them links to Sex Worker groups and Organisations throughout Asia and the World. To contact the secretariat by email, send your messages to womensnetwork@womynsagenda.org .

Second Anniversary Press Release (28 June 2002)

The Womens Network For Unity was established in June 2000 by a group of sex workers for sex workers. The network aims to provide a foundation for support for one of Cambodia's most vulnerable groups.

The network centres on building solidarity and self empowerment among sex workers as one of the only successful proven strategies to minimise HIV/AIDS. The network provides a space for women to come together, share ideas and discuss the collective challenges they face.

The network has made significant achievements since its inception in 2000 - sex workers have improved their attitudes to healthcare and approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention; improved their client negotiation skills; gained the courage to speak out about their problems; engaged in information sharing from workshops on HIV/AIDS and sex worker rights with their friends and peers. Together they have achieved solidarity and the collective strength that comes from one voice. They have an understanding of the value of their lives, and the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention.

The sex workers at the celebration will perform role plays, jokes and sing songs that describe the reasons they became sex workers and speak of the issues they face in their daily lives: social discrimination, violence, HIV/AIDS, debt, extortion, rape and the struggle to support their families.

Through sharing these experiences, the sex workers hope hope to improve public understanding of their situation. They call on the government to support them in their struggle against inequality, discrimination, violence and economic hardship. If they do not sell sex, how can they support their families?

"And if you think that my work is not good for Cambodian society, then the government should find land for us to build a house and make a living", said a sex worker from the network.

"I don't want to be a sex worker but if you close the brothels and karaoke bars can you give me some capital to start a business? If I had this, I would stop sex work", said another network member.

"If the government sends the girls to learn skills at NGO's, they can only support themselves. How can they support their sisters, brothers and families? Their families depend on their income for survival", asked a sex worker from the network.

Over 3,400 [early 2002 figures] people from 13 provinces are active members in the Sex Workers Network for Unity. In the future, the sex workers would like to continue to self organise. They would like to establish their own association, and continue to reach out and build solidarity with sex workers around the country, and reduce HIV/AIDS.