March 3rd is International Sex Worker’s Rights Day. Today, we stand in solidarity to support the human rights of sex workers all over the world. This annual day of awareness originally began in 2001 when over 25,000 sex workers gathered for a sex worker festival in India. Ever since, women across the globe have been observing this day as a time to educate, advocate, and fight for the rights of sex workers.
I recently came across the book, “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.” Although I have only begun to read the first few pages, it already seems like an important read. Authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn, a Pulitzer-prize winning couple, have written this book to advocate for the health, rights, and autonomy of women all over the world. The book focuses on women who have been sex trafficked, forced into prostitution, and who have been victims of gender-based violence. The purpose of the book is to shed light on these issues and hopefully inspire its readers to also become involved in the movement. It seemed an appropriate book to mention today.
If you are looking for a way to observe International Sex Worker’s Rights Day check for local events in your area.
By Krystal Chan, Development and Communications Intern