Health Workers in South Sudan Help Counter the Risks of Violence and HIV Infection for Female Sex Workers

By Gladys Achan, Communications Officer A health worker counsels a client at a Hospital in South Sudan. Photo by Trevor Snapp for IntraHealth International.June 01, 2022Poni’s* job as a female sex worker in Juba, South Sudan, is often dangerous. Gender-based violence is common and Poni, along with over 4,000 other female sex workers in Juba, sometimes experiences life-threatening situations while working.Because of ongoing conflict and insecurity, violence against women and girls in South Sudan is widespread. Sex workers are particularly at risk of violence due to thestigma that surrounds the profession. They also often face other risks, such as HIV infection. HIV prevalence among female sex workers in South Sudan is11.8%, higher than the global rate of infection among women and girls. Because of this,access to health services is crucial for sex workers.Recently, Poni was attacked by one of her clients. She had a fractured arm and knew she needed help, so she turned to a peer supervisor and crisis response focal person, Wasuk,* who connected her to the psychological and emotional support she needed.Wasuk works for IntraHealth International’sAdvanced HIV and AIDS Epidemic Control Activity (AHEC), which helps mitigate gender-based violence and provides HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for female sex workers in Juba, Nimule, Yambio, Wau, Rumbek, and Bor.AHEC provides services for over 10,500 female sex workers.He helped Poni speak to relev...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: HIV & AIDS Gender Equality Health in Conflict Workplace Safety Health Workers Source Type: news