"My day was great. I had a chance to present my poster and attend one session on human rights responses. I am looking forward to the march. I will send you more photos tomorrow. I will keep you updated."
"I am exhausted from the
march and I have many many photos."
Dianne Massawe, Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), South Africa:
"The opening of the conference set the mood for the days to date. Listening to all those speeches, what I liked was the fact that young people were present and they were women. The theme of "rights here, right now" echoed with me. But seeing the young women showed me that we have come a long way, but the struggle is still there to ensure that all people are empowered and can address such gatherings. P.S. There were other people who spoke and some with more sense than others.
"Monday was just amazing. The conference and the exposure have been amazing so far, and at times sensory overload just gets me. There is so much going on and deciding which ones to go to and which ones not are so hard. But I soon realised that networking is vital and linking with people so that you get info from the other sessions.
"Tuesday I did my presentation and it went well, and the highlight other than engaging with other people was the fact that one of the funders came to see my poster and we had a good chat. It was good to have him acknowledge the work. Listening to presentations and workshops on sex work and interventions that have worked have been fun. The low-down was to note the levels of prejudice that people have—even those who attend such conferences and who call themselves human rights defenders.
"Today the highlight for today for me was the fashion show by sex workers. It was fun and good. Prejudice is rife. In two sessions people almost propagated anti-speeches. It made me realise the need for education and sensitisations that we need to do. Sad that at a conference that speaks of acceptance and human rights people think it is okay to say and condemn others. Today loads of networking events, which was fun. I look forward to tomorrow and what it will bring."
