As the first and only collective of sex workers in the country and in the Balkans, on September 14th, for the eighth time, we proudly join the global initiative to mark The International Sex Worker Pride Day.
This day is an opportunity to remember the ongoing struggle for rights, dignity, safety, and equality, but also to demonstrate what we can achieve when our community organizes, speaks out, and actively participates in shaping the solutions that affect us.
Throughout 2025, we continued to build a space where the voices of sex workers are not only heard, but also actively contribute to the development of mechanisms for protection, prevention, and support.
What did we achieve in 2025?
1. We focused our efforts on combating sexual violence and trafficking in women and girls
In 2025, we launched the project “Self-Identified Sex Workers in the Fight Against Sexual Violence and Trafficking in Women and Girls” , an initiative that placed our community at the center of efforts to combat sexual violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.
The project emerged from the need to recognize the experiences, knowledge, and perspectives of sex workers themselves and to ensure that they are active stakeholders in the prevention of and response to violence and human trafficking.
For us, this is more than just another project. It is a step towards building a system in which sex workers are not seen solely as people in need of protection, but as equal partners in identifying risks, developing solutions, and protecting the community.
2. We developed a comprehensive training module on recognizing and preventing sexual violence and human trafficking
As part of the project, we developed a comprehensive training module for self-identified sex workers, focused on recognizing, reporting, and responding to sexual violence and human trafficking.
The module provides practical knowledge and tools for recognizing warning signs, understanding situations of risk, responding in a timely manner, accessing information, and seeking help and support.
What makes it particularly significant is that it was developed from the community’s perspective and for the needs of the community, because no one understands the real risks, barriers, and challenges faced by sex workers better than sex workers themselves.
3. On December 17, we spoke out for safety, justice, and dignity
On the occasion of the International Day to Stop Violence Against Sex Workers, we continued our fight against violence with a powerful video message entitled “Under the Red Umbrella, We Fight for Equality, Dignity, and Protection.”
In the video, three sex workers shared the realities they live, the fears they carry, and the needs they have.
Their voices became our collective demands:
All we need is safety, justice, support…
Through this message, we once again showed that behind the statistics, prejudice, and stereotypes are people whose rights, safety, and dignity must be protected.
4. We marked June 2 and March 3 through campaigns – days dedicated to our rights and visibility
In 2025, we continued to use the power of the digital space to increase the visibility of our community and communicate clear messages about our rights.
On the occasion of June 2 – International Sex Workers’ Day, we launched an online campaign highlighting the importance of recognizing, respecting, and protecting the rights of sex workers.
On March 3 – International Sex Workers’ Rights Day, we once again placed human rights, dignity, and equal treatment of sex workers at the center of our public messaging.
2025 was a year in which we strengthened our voice
From fighting sexual violence and human trafficking, to creating concrete tools for protection and education, and to public campaigns that strengthen the visibility of our community, in 2025 we continued to demonstrate that sex workers are not merely recipients of protection and support, but active agents of change.
Our greatest achievement is turning the perspectives and experiences of our community into knowledge, tools, and actions that can contribute to creating a safer environment for everyone.
The initiative to mark International Sex Worker Pride Day, first observed in 2019, was launched by NSWP (The Global Network of Sex Work Projects). This important day celebrates the self-determination and increased visibility of the sex workers’ community, while highlighting the achievements of sex worker-led organizations around the world over the pasInternational Sex Worker Pride Dayt year.