Research on interventions for sex workers (2)
---------------------------------------------
We were impressed by the avalanche of reactions that came after the idea
for CONCERTED ACTION ON INTERVENTIONS FOR CSWs. Some came through SEA AIDS,
but the majority came to our university e-mail address. We will react to
each of those who reacted personally, but some general issues that came up
need further clarification.
The idea is to develop a network of those who do research on interventions
to empower CSWs in their efforts to influence hazards that have an impact
on their health/well-being. This includes violence, psychological stress,
STDs and HIV-infection.
This implies:
1. any kind of research in this field is interesting for such a network:
action research to improve self esteem or health system research that
looks deeper into possibilities to develop better STD services or more
bio-medical research that tries to improve standard treatments.
Methodologically it can be qualitative or quantitative. It can be done
participatory. The main theme that connects the research is the point of
view that CSWs are not just subjects for research and campaigns. The key
question is: WHICH INTERVENTIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL?
2. many different kinds of organisations can join such a network. NGOs of
sex workers themselves. NGOs who are doing outreach work and do action
research to understand what kind of interventions are working. NGOs of
researchers; University departments; Research institutes; Departments in
Ministries of Public Health.
What is the procedure?
To apply for a concerted action grant from EU there is a need for 3
scientific partners from the EU and 3 scientific partners from the South.
What we are looking for are the institutes that have the same outlook. A
proposal will be formulated before September 15 1997 and submitted.
If it is accepted a workshop of the network should be organised in the
first half of 1998 where representatives will bring in their experiences
with specific approaches and the research that has been done. During such a
workshop the network can come up with major themes of importance and
prioritise areas of research. As there will be enough representation form
NGOs and grassroots organisations we assume that these priorities will
represent CSWs needs, so that a demand-driven research programme can be
formulated. After that meeting organisations will return to their country
and monitor for a while certain aspects that were seen as important. After
half a year or a whole year another meeting will be organised and results
will be presented. At that meeting proposals should be formulated for
research projects that are essential to improving conditions that have an
impact on CSWs hazards.
I hope that some of these ideas which have not yet been worked out in
detail yet will clarify to you the potential of such a network.
Regards
Ivan Wolffers
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Prof. Dr. Ivan Wolffers
Health Care and Culture
Medical Faculty of the Vrije Universiteit
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-20-444-8266
Fax: +31-20-444-8394
mailto:i.wolffers.social@med.vu.nl
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