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| Name of Organization |
Action For REACH OUT |
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| Mission |
Action for REACH OUT (AFRO) is an organisation for and of female sex workers.
We believe that for the advancement of society, every individual should have her or his personal freedom, dignity and basic human rights protected and promoted. The society should embrace diversity and facilitate the efforts of all sectors to bring about necessary social change to enable all persons to enjoy their human rights.
Embracing these beliefs, we work for the social inclusion of female sex workers, one of the most marginalised and discriminated groups in Hong Kong society, so that they can enjoy equal treatment and access to all legal and health rights. We hold that decriminalisation and recognition of "women in prostitution" as "workers in the sex industry" is an essential condition for their ability to stand up and speak out on their own behalf as well as to participate in social and political affairs. |
| Telephone |
852-27701065 |
| Fax |
852-27701201 |
| Email |
afro@afro.org.hk |
| Website |
http://www.afro.org.hk |
| Address |
P.O. Box 98108. Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office. Kowloon. Hong Kong. |
| Chairperson |
Moyreen TILBROOK |
| Chief Executive |
Kendy YIM Kit-sum |
| Year of Establishment |
1993 |
| Registration & Number |
Certificate of Incorporation 515368 (Certificate of Incorporation) |
| Tax-Exempt Charity |
Yes, Ref No. 91/4564 |
| Agency Member of HKCSS |
Yes |
| Member Agency of the Chest |
No |
| Subvented by the Social Welfare Department |
No |
| Religious Background |
None |
| Political Background |
None |
| Core Services |
1. To provide all-round services and support to female sex workers, including drop-in centre, outreach visits, hotline, referral, medical and legal consultation, health and rights education, and skills training etc.
2. Through peer education, to facilitate sex workers to develop their own support network, to speak out on their own behalf and to participate in social affairs.
3. Through public education, advocacy and research, to enhance communication and mutual understanding between sex workers and the general public, to work for social inclusion of sex workers, so that they can enjoy equal treatment and access to all legal and health rights.
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| Recent Achievements |
Since it was formally established in 1993, AFRO has developed close relationship with women working in the sex industry in Hong Kong, including those from Hong Kong, Mainland China, the Philippines and Thailand etc. Our outreach activities cover streets, one-woman apartments, hair-salons, karaokes, nightclubs and bars etc. in different areas in Hong Kong. (Annual number of outreach contacts: about 5000.)
Our drop-in centre located in Kowloon has also become very popular among sex workers. (Annual number of visits: about 1500.) Activities held include rights, health and life skills education, empowerment programme, peer education, skills training, free legal and medical consultation, counselling, interest class and celebration activities etc. |
| Pioneer Projects |
AFRO first developed Sex Workers' Peer Education Programme in 1999. It was a programme to provide sex workers with knowledge of STDs, HIV/AIDS and safer safe, as well as training for listening and communication skills. This was to facilitate the peer educators, as "insiders" of the industry, to take part in health promotion among sex workers and through this programme to establish positive self-images.
In 2002, this programme was extended to a wider spectrum that covered several issues including legal rights, human rights and life skills etc., in order to equip the peer educators to provide all-round support to women in the industry. Over the years, there have been about 40 sex workers who finished the Peer Education Programme. |
| Future Development |
In the future, AFRO will continue to provide needed services and support to female sex workers. Based on the success of the Peer Education Programme, we will actively work on facilitating them to develop their own support network or self-help group aiming to protect their legal and health rights. At the same time, efforts will be made in promoting communication between sex workers and the general public so as to enhance mutual understanding. |
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| Awards Received in the Past 3 Years |
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Award Organization |
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