Outreach and Empowerment for Women in Commercial Sex Work
Kwenuha Women’s Association (KWA) is a faith-based nonprofit organization in Livingstone, Zambia, committed to supporting women impacted by human trafficking and commercial sex work. With extremely high unemployment rates and widespread poverty in the region, many women and young girls turn to transactional sex as a means of survival—leaving them vulnerable to HIV, violence, and exploitation. KWA provides a holistic pathway to safety and independence through trauma-informed shelter, vocational training, farming, life skills development, and small business support.
This project supports vulnerable women and girls engaged in sex work through a comprehensive model of outreach and empowerment. It is built around Kwenuha’s signature Night Watch program, a defining element of the organization’s work. Night Watch takes place at night in bars, clubs, and truck stops, where peer educators and staff engage with sex workers on the ground—offering nonjudgmental interaction, gathering contact details, and inviting women to learn about safer, more dignified alternatives.
Once initial contact is made, women are invited to participate in a structured support pathway that includes:
Behavior Change and Life Skills Programs: A 3-day psychosocial workshop that helps participants shift mindsets, explore alternatives, and identify opportunities for personal growth and stability.
Vocational Training: In partnership with the Rotary Club of Livingstone, women can access skills development in tailoring, catering, electrical engineering, and plumbing.
Educational Support: KWA also assists with sponsorships for children’s school fees and skills training, recognizing the importance of breaking generational cycles of vulnerability.
Peer Educator Network Development: Women who have gone through the program are trained to lead and mentor others, creating a cycle of empowerment and sustainable transformation.
This multi-tiered approach not only reduces HIV risk and economic vulnerability but also fosters a deep sense of community, confidence, and dignity among women who have often been excluded from mainstream support systems.
Support Outreach and Empowerment in Zambia
Your donation will help women in sex work access lifesaving services, healing spaces, and life-changing opportunities.
Funding Needed: $136,150