Research Catalog

Title

Documenting human rights violations of sex workers in Kenya : a study conducted in Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia, Nanyuki, Mombasa and Malindi.

Publication

Kenya : FIDA Kenya, ©2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

International Federation of Women Lawyers. Kenya Chapter.

Description

56 pages

Summary

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.

Subject

• Women > Crimes against > Kenya
• Prostitutes > Crimes against > Kenya
• Women's rights > Research > Kenya
• Prostitutes > Research > Kenya
• Prostitutes > Crimes against
• Women > Crimes against
• Kenya

Note

• Supported by a Grant from the Open Society Institute.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-37).

Contents

Acknowledgements -- List of Figures -- List of Abbreviation and Acronyms -- Executive Summary and Key Recommendations -- CHAPTER ONE -- Background and Methodology -- 1.1 Overview of the research -- 1.2 The social context of sex work in Kenya -- 1.3 Methodology -- 1.4 Limitations -- CHAPTER TWO -- The legal framework on sex work in Kenya -- 2.1 National law -- 2.2 Subsidiary legislation -- CHAPTER THREE -- The Findings -- 3.1 Profile of the respondents -- 3.2 Findings from sex workers -- 3.3 Findings from police focus group -- CHAPTER FOUR -- Sex work, policing and human rights -- 4.1 Kenya's human rights framework -- 4.2 Violations of the human rights of sex workers -- 4.3 Lack of a rights enabling environment for sex workers -- 4.4 Key issues regarding Kenya's approach to sex work -- CHAPTER FIVE -- Recommendations -- 5.1 To the Government and Parliament -- 5.2 To the Office of the Attorney General and the Judiciary -- 5.3 To the Commissioner of Police -- 5.3 To Local Governments -- 5.4 To Civil Society Organisations -- References -- Appendix.

OCLC

• ocn664745896
• 664745896
• SCSB-1543981

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library