Help Sex Workers Advocate For Their Rights | Milaap
Help Sex Workers Advocate For Their Rights
  • A

    Created by

    Gowri Vijayakumar
  • KS

    This fundraiser will benefit

    Karnataka Sex Workers Union

    from Bangalore, Karnataka

Tax benefits for INR donations will be issued by Sangama

Karnataka Sex Workers Union (KSWU) is a trade union of sex workers (including cis women, men and transgender women) in Karnataka. Our members are primarily from Hassan, Yadgir, Bengaluru Rural, Bidar, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Urban, Tumkur, and Belgaum districts.  We advocate for the rights of sex workers in all facets of our lives.

KSWU was established in May 2006.  Here is a video of Geetha, a founding member, who passed away in 2012.

KSWU is affiliated to New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI), a national federation of independent trade unions in India. KSWU is also an active member of the National Network of Sex Workers (NNSW) and the Asia-Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW).  While KSWU aims to be registered as a trade union, it has faced many barriers in this process, and is currently registered as an association (Sex Workers Association, or SWA).  It is also affiliated with Sangama, an organization working for the rights of sexual minorities and sex workers.

At the local level, KSWU is committed to building partnerships across marginalized groups to address issues that affect our lives.   KSWU is one of few sex worker organizations in India that unites cis women, men, and trans people. It has received local and international attention from academics and activists for its pathbreaking work.  

Since last year, in a context with less and less funding for sex worker organizations, KSWU has been struggling to raise the funds it needs to sustain itself.  We are asking you for your help in supporting KSWU’s everyday activities.  Even Rs. 1000 can help pay for a meeting to bring sex workers together.  Donations will go to the grassroots organizing that makes KSWU’s work possible. Sangama, KSWU's affiliated organization, will manage international donations and domestic donations will go directly to KSWU's account.

For more information about KSWU:







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