From 29-31 May 2024, we participated in the Renew Summit hosted by CREA in Kathmandu, Nepal, which was attended by participants from across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The Summit was designed to foreground sex workers’ voices, needs and their work. It consisted of various plenaries, workshops, and activities over three days. Research Associate Anushka Jain and independent consultant, Avani Tanya represented us at the summit.
The workshop explored how sex workers utilise digital tools and platforms for their work and provided guidance on how they may protect themselves better during these digital interactions. The workshop was held over two days and attended by participants who identified as sex workers as well as allies from organisations and collectives.
During the first half of the workshop, we conducted participatory problem scoping in which we asked participants identifying as sex workers to share information and insights based on specific prompts. These prompts included inquiring about whether they used the internet for sex work, which platforms they use, whether the Internet has changed and/or improved their working conditions, and what issues they have faced on the Internet. In the second half of the workshop, we talked to the participants about the importance of digital rights and the existing legal frameworks related to online sex work in the participating countries. Lastly, we provided them with specific guidance on online safety, including how to protect themselves from phishing/scams and on safer sexting.
CREA Summit_ Participation Summary by Digital Futures Lab August 22, 2024.docx (2).pdf