A collaborative effort between researchers at Makerere University and sex workers in Uganda has yielded a social security scheme that has empowered nearly 4,000 individuals to plan for their future. The initiative, which began as a savings scheme, aims to provide sex workers with financial security and alternative livelihoods, reducing the likelihood of their children being forced into the same trade due to financial hardship.
The scheme was conceived by the Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC), an organization that brings together sex workers, after noticing that ageing sex workers were approaching retirement with little or no financial security. Macklean Kyomya, executive director of AWAC, stated that many sex workers were worried about their children's future, fearing they might enter the same trade due to a lack of savings or alternative livelihoods.
The Social Innovations in Health Initiative (SIHI) at Makerere University School of Public Health supported the initiative, providing a $20,000 grant to strengthen the savings groups and expand their membership. The grant, which is equivalent to about Shs 78 million, enabled the sex workers to formalize their savings groups and access funds for alternative income-generating activities, such as agriculture and school fees.
The savings scheme allows members to save as little as Shs 5,000 and access funds for various purposes. Additionally, they can access health insurance through community-based schemes. According to Dr. Phyllis Awor, a Makerere University researcher, the program selected social innovations with the potential to improve health outcomes, and sex workers qualified for support due to their high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The initiative has had a significant impact on the lives of sex workers, enabling some to leave the trade and focus on alternative sources of income. Kyomya stated that the model has been recognized by the Ministry of Health and another donor, who provided an additional $8,000 to assess its scalability in other parts of the country.
The sex workers' savings initiative is one of several social innovations supported through the program. Other beneficiaries have showcased their work at events where researchers discussed innovations aimed at improving health outcomes over the next decade. One such initiative is helping teenagers in Busoga prevent repeat pregnancies.
The scheme has given sex workers hope that their children can have better opportunities and avoid the vulnerabilities associated with sex work. With the support of Makerere University and other donors, the initiative is expected to continue empowering sex workers and improving their overall well-being.
Key points
- The initiative provides sex workers with access to health insurance and alternative income-generating activities.
- The model has been recognized by the Ministry of Health and another donor for its potential to improve health outcomes.
- The scheme has enabled some sex workers to leave the trade and focus on alternative sources of income.
