Sex workers in Nsanje District have expressed satisfaction with Transformational Engagement and Advocacy for Marginalised Sex Workers project for promoting their rights.
Under the project, sex workers underwent a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) training where they learned how to report sexual gender violence, access contraceptives and seek healthcare services.
In an interview on Wednesday, a sex worker from Nsanje Boma who did not want to be mentioned, thanked Abwenzi 360 for the training.
She said they now know how to deal with their clients, demanding the use of contraceptives such as condoms and how to report violations of their agreement.
The lady said: “We also know how best we can lobby duty-bearers to push for the tabling of Termination of Pregnancy Bill in Parliament.
“The organisation has pledged to conduct more sessions to strengthen our network, improve our knowledge on SRH and find means to break barriers on safe abortions restrictions.”
In her remarks, Abwenzi 360 programmes manager Charity Wanja said they want to push duty-bearers to remove restrictions on safe abortion.
“We want to collaborate with the district hospital to implement safe abortion and give sex workers full SRH packages,” she said.
Nsanje principal gender officer Edison Njembe said the project has empowered sex workers to know their SRH rights.
“I believe the project will make services available to women even for post-abortion to save lives,” he said.
The organisation is implementing the two-year project with funding from United Kingdom-based Amplify Change.
