sex workers

Between right-wing governments and corporate capture of online spaces, there are interesting shifts in how sexuality is censored and governed online and offline. This article looks at the reach and over-reach of laws related to obscenity and censorship in South Asia and the impact that has had on free speech around sex, sex work and sexuality.

A zine on the implications of the new laws on sex trafficking that has implications for digital rights, rights of sex worker groups and sex workers. Though the law has been introduced in the United States of America, the implications are global as censorship curtails global platforms such as Skype, and could have potential implications on internet censorship norms globally.

The reflection from our Karina and Analia from Uruguay, shared how the shift from being an object of study to telling stories of their own sex workers community and leading the process of knowledge production. The project challenged the conception of “who” are legitimate knowledge makers, producing key knowledge grounded on socially constructed negotiation of power in real life.

Sex workers in Pakistan moved to the internet to seek clientele as the famous red light district in Pakistan faced government crackdown and cultural oppression. But how has their experience been working through online platforms? Hira Nadeem speaks to sex workers who made the shift.

Despite passing under the guise of fighting sex trafficking, the US-based bills FOSTA/SESTA criminalised sex workers and left them fewer tools to work and protect themselves. Cypher Sex describes the challenges of writing digital self-defence guides with protection strategies that could be applied to this legal scenario.

Sex workers in South Africa moved to the internet to seek clients as the offline opportunities dwindled due to the pandemic-induced lockdown. But they face previously unknown challenges with the prevalent online gender based violence in the country; Colleta Dewa discusses.

DJ's choice is a weekly section by GenderIT.org, exploring the depths of the web to provide you once a week with a top 5 of creative, interesting and informative pieces and resources on gender and ICTs. Delight yourself with this selection of “sparks”: Good readings, interesting links, videos, pictures, cool authors to point to, amazing tools, and much more. Send us interesting material to…

Sex workers are increasingly using the Internet for finding business, organising themselves, and fighting for their rights. However, the online space is not without some of the hindrances of the offline one. This is the fifth in a series of posts reporting on the day-long “Connect Your Rights!” meeting held in Mumbai in November 2013. The meeting explored topics such as tools to combat violence…