Co-production of research with sex workers as a political act

In South Africa, where most sex workers are women, issues of sexual and reproductive justice are largely neglected. Because sex work is criminalized, the health system faces barriers to responding to the legitimate needs of sex workers. A key ingredient in the success of the research partnership is the harnessing of care and trust between M4F and the activist-researchers over time. By recognizing NGOs and social movements as key parts of the health system, researchers sought to embed themselves with M4Fas a key health system actor with which to engage and co-produce knowledge that changes the health system to benefit sex workers. A key outcome of the research partnership is the ongoing engagement with decision makers including the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Health who listened to sex workers’ perspectives and acknowledged the health challenges faced by mothers who are sex workers.

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Louskieter, L., M. Stevens, A. S. George, D. Dlamini, and S. Munshi (2021). Co-production of research with sex workers as a political act. BMJ 2021;372.