Documenting human rights violations of sex workers in Kenya
Subtitle: a study conducted in Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia, Nanyuki, Mombasa and Malindi
Publisher: FIDA Kenya
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Kenya
Language: eng
Number of pages: 40
Subjects: Women; Crimes against; Prostitutes; Women's rights; Research
Description: Documenting Human Rights Violations of Sex Workers in Kenya details the abuses experienced by sex workers throughout the country, and analyzes the policy framework that undermines sex workers' access to rights. Pervasive stigma and discrimination against sex workers and a lack of legal recourse leaves sex workers disenfranchised and vulnerable to egregious human rights violations. The study finds that Kenya's laws and practices in relation to sex work breach its own constitutional provisions and violate standards contained in international human rights instruments which Kenya has ratified and agreed to abide. Among other recommendations, the report calls on the Kenyan government and state institutions to address the human rights concerns of sex workers by reviewing present laws and polices to ensure they adequately protect and respect sex workers' rights, providing access to legal aid, educating sex workers about their rights, and instituting mechanisms for them to obtain redress for violations committed against them. The report serves as a tool for sex workers and their allies to advocate for these and other measures for rights protection. This report was supported by the Public Health Program's Sexual Health and Rights Project and Law and Health Initiative, as well as the Open Society Initiative for East Africa.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-37).
Table of contents: title: Acknowledgements; title: List of Figures; title: List of Abbreviation and Acronyms; title: Executive Summary and Key Recommendations; title: CHAPTER ONE; title: Background and Methodology; title: 1.1 Overview of the research; title: 1.2 The social context of sex work in Kenya; title: 1.3 Methodology; title: 1.4 Limitations; title: CHAPTER TWO; title: The legal framework on sex work in Kenya; title: 2.1 National law; title: 2.2 Subsidiary legislation; title: CHAPTER THREE; title: The Findings; title: 3.1 Profile of the respondents; title: 3.2 Findings from sex workers; title: 3.3 Findings from police focus group; title: CHAPTER FOUR; title: Sex work, policing and human rights; title: 4.1 Kenya's human rights framework; title: 4.2 Violations of the human rights of sex workers; title: 4.3 Lack of a rights enabling environment for sex workers; title: 4.4 Key issues regarding Kenya's approach to sex work; title: CHAPTER FIVE; title: Recommendations; title: 5.1 To the Government and Parliament; title: 5.2 To the Office of the Attorney General and the Judiciary; title: 5.3 To the Commissioner of Police; title: 5.3 To Local Governments; title: 5.4 To Civil Society Organisations; title: References; title: Appendix