In the Republic of North Macedonia, young sex workers, females in particular, are faced with major difficulties in terms of access to healthcare, social and legal services, which directly results from the discrimination and marginalization of this group. The improper availability and the inadequacy of SRH (Sexual and Reproductive Health) services, as well as the inadequacy or the untimely social and legal aid, which young sex workers desperately require, results in the increase in STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) incidence, lowering the quality of life, failure to recognize their status in society and unsuitable working conditions.
In North Macedonia, young sex workers most commonly receive healthcare, social and legal services by civil organizations, whereas the same are rather limited and more difficult to obtain in public institutions. The difficult access to services in public institutions results from young sex workers’ lack of knowledge of their existence in the public sector, the fear of potential discrimination by employed professionals, as well as the poor quality of those services.
With the limited access to healthcare, social and legal services, the risk of incidents of violence, discrimination and serious threats to the life and health of young sex workers exponentially rise.
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