How did the UNFPA come up with the “Guidance Note”?
In July 2006, the UNFPA organized a global consultation on HIV and Sex Work in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to get input on how to address HIV-prevention and treatment for sex workers. There were representatives from many UN offices (UNICEF, UNODC, UNESCO, UNAIDS, etc.), from certain governments (Brazil, United States, African Union states, Sweden…) and NGOs. Among the NGOs were sex work groups from many countries: from Central Eastern Europe and Central Asia, there was Tais Plus (Kyrgyzstan) and Humanitarian Action (Russia). The Asia-Pacific Network of Sex Workers, The Latin American and Caribbean Network of Sex Workers, International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe and the Global Network of Sex Workers (NSWP), were also all there. Sweden sent one person from the government and one anti-prostitution activist. The United States sent 4 people to the meeting. Three worked with the government and one was an anti-prostitution activist. The Americans were very against sex work or
