EMPOWER Thailand, Empower Foundation
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Since 1985, sex workers in Thailand have been organizing as Empower.. Sex workers make up most of the leadership of Empower and fill key positions. In addition, sex workers regularly critique, suggest and guide Empower’s activities and advocacy. Over the last three decades more than 50,000 sex workers have been a part of Empower. Empower’s programs consist of four main areas running a Legal Club,Education and Job Club,Art & Culture Club, and Can Do Bar. Empower offers sex workers skills in leadership, media, research and public speaking. Along with the skills sex workers are offered opportunities to use these skills. Sex workers from Empower are often asked to lead trainings and meetings on a range of topics like building collective participation, women’s health, HIV/AIDS and human rights. Sex workers from Empower are also asked to sit on government commitees and lead or guide law and policy makers. Empower members use their experience to identify the occupational risks for sex workers in Thailand and develop strategies to limit these risks, just like other occupations have. They advocate for the implementation of these standards in all entertainment places in Thailand. Empower is working towards the repeal of the Prostitution Act to decriminalize sex work.