Review of Evangelical Church of Eritrea Commercial Sex Workers (CSW) Program

Background

While the level of HIV infectivity is low in Eritrea, it is higher within the
Commercial Sex Workers. The Evangelical Church of Eritrea, funded by NCA has
sought to implement a program to enable CSW to acquire skills, thereby enabling
them to become financially self-supporting. The program commenced in 2002 and
has trained approximately 20-30 women per year.

Purpose/objective

To assess the status, successes, and weaknesses of the Evangelical Church Commercial Sex workers program and to make appropriate recommendations.

Methodology

Interviews were done with various members of the program and with staff involved with the CSW program.

Key findings

The project has been successful in building a good group dynamic and inputting educational, moral and spiritual support to the CSW group. They had received significant training in HIV/AIDS.

The CSWs had been trained in the various skills - weaving, sewing and embroidery.
They had also received the necessary materials to continue in the skill they had
learned.

The CSWs had found that they were unable to sustain themselves through the
training they had received. This was due to a number of factors, such as lack of
markets, lack of space to continue working at home, lack of motivation, poor
materials etc.

Recommendations

A full survey on follow-up on the graduates needs to be conducted (done by the NCA HIV/AIDS officer in 2005).

A full market survey needs to be done to determine the viability of products prior to commencing training (proposed for 2006).

Beneficiaries need to be canvassed and interviewed to determine their interest in
various trainings. Many were not particularly motivated to practice their skills.
Group dynamics need to be considered and the need for central production centres needs to be considered.

Standard of equipment needs to be considered.

Comments from the organisation

The Commercial Sex workers program implemented by the Evangelical Church of Eritrea has had some success in group dynamics and educational training. However it has not been a success in enabling the CSWs to become self sustaining. To this end a market survey needs to be instituted to ensure that products are saleable. In addition it is essential to ensure that the women are motivated in their area of training. NCA is committed to help ensure that these prerequisites are fulfilled.