NAKARAJAN

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers DECEMBER 17 Female, male and transgender sex workers face high levels of violence, stigma, discrimination and other human-rights violations. Violence against sex workers is associated with inconsistent condom use or lack of condom use, and with increased risk of STI and HIV infection. Violence also prevents sex workers from accessing HIV information and services. Violence is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that results or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, sexual or psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation of liberty (see also Box 2.1). Male, female and transgender sex workers may face violence because of the stigma associated with sex work, which in most settings is criminalized, or due to discrimination based on gender, race, ...