Background
A group of sex workers organizations and sex work support organizations committed to the cause of sex workers had come together to forge a network of sex workers named National Network of Sex workers (NNSW). The primary objective of the network was to articulate the voices of sex workers and let it be heard across the country. Over the years NNSW and its member organizations went through several campaigns / movements to raise their issues both at State and regional levels. The organizations were formally registered as All India Network of Sex workers (AINSW).
The Structure and Functioning of AINSW
AINSW is a membership-based network of sex workers organization. Each member organization has equal rights and voting power. At present there are 13 office bearers (representing 13 states) of the organization and the secretariat is based in Delhi. It is a federation of CBOs of sex workers who are engaged in promoting and protecting the rights of sex workers in addition to their engagement in HIV intervention program.
AINSW follows standard democratic norms and practices for communication, participation and representation. Due to financial constrains, the secretariat holds a meeting twice a year (on an average).
The network coordinates activities at central level leaving member organizations free to develop and implement all kinds of programs based on their reach and ability within certain broad guiding principles. AINSW provides the necessary support primarily for national-level advocacy and network-building with its limited resource base.
Vision
AINSW envisions a world wherein sex work is recognized as work, a world that is just and has no laws that criminalize sex work where adult women, men and transgender persons in sex work have the right to earn and live through the exchange of sexual services.
Mission
To challenge the hegemony of mainstream attitudes towards sex work that is embodied in social practices, laws and public opinion so that all persons in sex work become free to practice different relational forms outside conventional heterosexual marriage and family.
