Criminalization of HIV and sex work in Western and Central Africa
This paper aims to explore the intersection of HIV criminalization and sex work to better understand how HIV criminalization affects sex workers, but also how the different forms of HIV criminalization and sex work reinforce each other and exacerbate violence and discrimination against sex workers living with HIV in the region.
This project is a continuation of the work initiated by And Soppeku, an organization of sex workers in Senegal, which published an advocacy document on the issue in 2023, with the support of HIV Justice Worldwide.
OptTest case study 5: Changing drugs laws in Portugal to prioritise public health
Presents the challenges followed by Portugal to address the increase in drug consumption throughout the 1980s and 90s. Explains the decriminalization and harm reduction strategy, along with lessons learnt.
The Intersection of Syringe Use and HIV Criminalization: An Advocate’s Toolkit
This 2017 toolkit from The Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP) and the National LGBTQ Task Force highlights intersections between the criminalisation of injecting drug use and HIV, noting people living with HIV who inject are criminalised in multiple ways including by laws targeting sharing equipment; purchasing, possessing or distributing equipment; drug possession and use; and HIV exposure, non-disclosure and transmission. Notes repeated calls to address substance use as a public health issue, and provides tips to make advocacy more intentional, intersectional, inclusive, and effective.