Country Profile: Jamaica's Sex Work Community

Overview

Jamaica’s sex work community operates in a complex socio-political environment marked by legal restrictions, stigma, and structural inequalities. Although sex work remains criminalized under the country's laws, it continues to thrive in urban centers like Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios, as well as in rural and hinterland areas where migrant sex workers engage in the trade. The community is diverse, comprising local and migrant sex workers, many of whom face intersecting vulnerabilities due to their gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

Health and Social Services

While sex workers in Jamaica have access to healthcare services, these are often provided in settings rife with stigma and discrimination. Many healthcare professionals hold moralistic views that deter sex workers from seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. Confidentiality concerns and negative experiences at healthcare facilities contribute to the underutilization of services, despite efforts from civil society organizations to offer stigma-free medical support.

A major concern within the sex work community is the persistent shortage of condoms on the island. This shortage, exacerbated by supply chain issues and policy shifts, places sex workers at increased risk of exposure to HIV and other STIs. Community-based organizations have worked tirelessly to distribute condoms and other harm-reduction supplies, but their efforts are often insufficient in meeting the growing demand.

HIV/AIDS and Policy Uncertainty

Jamaica has made progress in reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence among sex workers through targeted interventions, including peer education, testing, and treatment programs. However, the recent shift in the USA administration has introduced uncertainties regarding continued funding for these initiatives. Historically, international funding has supported local advocacy groups and HIV prevention efforts. With potential changes in foreign aid policies, there is growing concern that these hard-won achievements could be undermined, leaving the sex work community more vulnerable to public health crises.

Advocacy and the Road Ahead

Jamaica’s sex work community continues to push for legal reform, social acceptance, and improved access to essential health services. Advocacy groups work closely with regional and international partners to advance human rights-based approaches to sex work, emphasizing the need for decriminalization and protection against violence.

As the landscape evolves, it remains critical for both local and international stakeholders to support the resilience of Jamaica’s sex work community by addressing policy gaps, expanding healthcare access, and ensuring sustainable funding for HIV/AIDS programs. Without these efforts, the progress made in safeguarding the rights and health of sex workers remains at significant risk.

Country Profile: The Sex Work Community in Guyana

Overview

Guyana, located on the northern coast of South America, has a diverse sex work community that includes both local and migrant sex workers. The industry is shaped by a mix of legal, social, and economic factors, with sex work existing in a legal grey area. While solicitation is criminalized, sex workers continue to operate in urban centers, rural areas, and the hinterlands, where the demand for commercial sex is driven by mining and logging industries.

Access to Healthcare and Social Services

Sex workers in Guyana have access to healthcare services, including HIV and STI testing, treatment, and sexual health education. However, these services are often provided in settings that are deeply stigmatizing and discriminatory. Many sex workers report facing judgmental attitudes from healthcare providers, deterring them from seeking timely medical care. This stigma also extends to law enforcement and broader society, leading to barriers in accessing justice and social support.

Organizations working in HIV prevention have made strides in reaching sex workers with health services, but challenges remain. A persistent shortage of condoms across the country has heightened risks for sex workers, forcing many to engage in unsafe practices. This issue has been particularly pronounced in recent years, as funding for prevention programs has fluctuated.

Migrant Sex Workers in the Hinterlands

Guyana's hinterland regions, rich in gold and natural resources, attract a high number of migrant sex workers from Venezuela, Brazil, and other neighboring countries. These workers face even greater vulnerabilities, including exploitation, lack of documentation, and difficulty in accessing health services. Many operate in isolated mining communities, where transactional sex is a key part of the economy but comes with heightened risks of violence, poor working conditions, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections.

Efforts to provide healthcare outreach in these areas are often sporadic due to logistical challenges. However, local and international organizations have attempted to engage with migrant sex workers through mobile clinics and peer-led interventions. Despite these efforts, much more is needed to ensure their protection and inclusion in national health and legal frameworks.

Uncertainty Under the New U.S. Administration

Guyana’s HIV/AIDS response has historically been supported by international donors, particularly the United States through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). However, with the shifting priorities of the new U.S. administration, there is growing uncertainty about the sustainability of these programs. Many sex worker-led initiatives that contributed to the decline in HIV rates now face funding cuts and policy changes that could undermine previous achievements.

The reinstatement of conservative funding policies, such as the "anti-prostitution pledge," could further restrict the ability of organizations to directly support sex workers. Advocates fear that without continued financial and technical support, the progress made in reducing HIV among sex workers could be reversed, placing an already marginalized population at greater risk.

Conclusion

Guyana’s sex work community remains resilient in the face of ongoing challenges, including stigma, discrimination, and structural barriers to healthcare. While access to services exists, the quality and inclusivity of these services remain a major concern. The condom shortage and the shifting landscape of international support present additional risks to the community’s health and safety. Moving forward, sustained advocacy, stronger local partnerships, and policies that center sex workers' rights are critical to ensuring that the progress made in HIV prevention and health services is not lost.

Country Profile: Suriname Sex Work Community

Overview

Sex work in Suriname exists within a complex legal and social framework. While it is neither fully legal nor explicitly criminalized, sex workers face significant challenges, including stigma, discrimination, and legal uncertainties. The sex work community in Suriname comprises both local and migrant workers, many of whom operate in urban centers like Paramaribo and remote hinterland regions where the country’s mining industry thrives. Migrant sex workers, particularly those from neighboring countries such as Brazil, Guyana, and the Dominican Republic, are often among the most vulnerable.

Access to Health Care

Sex workers in Suriname technically have access to health care, including HIV prevention and treatment services. However, these services are often provided in environments where stigma and discrimination are prevalent. Many health care providers hold biases against sex workers, making it difficult for them to receive non-judgmental and comprehensive care. Fear of exposure and mistreatment leads some sex workers to avoid seeking medical attention, ultimately increasing their vulnerability to HIV, STIs, and other health concerns.

HIV Prevention Challenges

Suriname has made strides in reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence among sex workers, thanks to targeted health interventions and community-led advocacy. However, the progress remains fragile due to structural barriers, including the ongoing shortage of condoms. This shortage has put sex workers at greater risk, as condoms are essential for their health and safety. The supply chain disruptions and shifting donor priorities have contributed to this crisis, with sex workers often having to rely on informal networks to access condoms.

With the new U.S. administration, there is uncertainty about continued funding and support for HIV prevention programs in Suriname. Many sex worker-led organizations depend on international funding for their work, and any policy changes affecting global health funding could jeopardize the gains made in reducing HIV transmission within this population. The reinstatement or expansion of policies such as the "Mexico City Policy" (also known as the Global Gag Rule) could further limit resources available to organizations that support sex workers' health and rights.

Migrant Sex Workers in the Hinterland

Migrant sex workers, particularly those working in the gold mining areas of Suriname’s hinterland, face unique challenges. They often work in isolated and lawless conditions where exploitation, violence, and lack of medical care are common. Many of these sex workers are undocumented, making them even more vulnerable to abuse by clients, law enforcement, and health providers. Language barriers and cultural differences further limit their ability to access support services.

Organizations working with sex workers in Suriname have recognized the urgent need to provide health and safety interventions specifically tailored to migrant sex workers. Mobile health clinics and outreach initiatives have been introduced in some areas, but they remain limited in scope due to funding and logistical challenges. Addressing the needs of migrant sex workers requires a multi-sectoral approach that includes legal protection, improved access to health care, and economic alternatives for those who wish to transition out of sex work.

Conclusion

Despite access to health care services, Suriname’s sex work community continues to navigate a landscape filled with discrimination and systemic barriers. The ongoing condom shortage and uncertain international funding threaten the progress made in HIV prevention. Meanwhile, migrant sex workers in the hinterland remain among the most marginalized, facing exploitation and limited access to essential services. Moving forward, it is crucial for sex worker-led organizations, local health institutions, and international partners to collaborate in addressing these pressing issues and ensuring that the rights and well-being of all sex workers in Suriname are protected.

Country Profile: The Sex Work Community in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island republic in the Caribbean, has a dynamic and diverse sex work community that includes both local and migrant sex workers. The country’s legal framework does not recognize sex work as a legitimate profession, leading to an environment of criminalization and marginalization for those engaged in the trade. As a result, sex workers face various social and structural challenges, including stigma, discrimination, and limited access to justice.

Healthcare Access and Stigma

Although sex workers in Trinidad and Tobago technically have access to healthcare services, these services are often provided in environments laden with stigma and discrimination. Many sex workers report experiencing judgmental attitudes from healthcare professionals, which discourages them from seeking regular medical care. This contributes to barriers in accessing critical health services, including HIV prevention, treatment, and sexual and reproductive health support. The hostile environment in healthcare settings exacerbates health disparities, placing sex workers at higher risk of untreated infections and other medical complications.

Shortage of Condoms and HIV Prevention Efforts

One of the most pressing issues facing the sex work community in Trinidad and Tobago is the continued shortage of condoms. This shortage significantly impacts HIV and STI prevention efforts, making it more difficult for sex workers to practice safer sex and protect themselves and their clients. The scarcity of condoms has been linked to procurement issues and inconsistent distribution strategies, further putting vulnerable communities at risk.

Over the years, targeted HIV reduction strategies, including outreach programs and peer-led initiatives, have helped decrease HIV transmission rates among sex workers. However, with the recent change in the USA administration, there is growing uncertainty regarding continued funding and support for these programs. U.S. foreign aid has historically played a role in supporting HIV prevention initiatives in the Caribbean, and shifts in policy priorities could threaten the gains made in reducing HIV and AIDS prevalence within the sex work community.

Migrant Sex Workers and Additional Barriers

Migrant sex workers, particularly those from Venezuela and other parts of Latin America, face even greater challenges in Trinidad and Tobago. Many arrive in the country fleeing economic and political crises and often find themselves engaged in sex work as a means of survival. These individuals are at increased risk of exploitation, trafficking, and violence, often operating in clandestine settings due to their undocumented status.

Language barriers further limit migrant sex workers’ ability to access healthcare, legal protection, and social services. In many cases, fear of deportation prevents them from reporting abuses or seeking medical assistance. Without targeted interventions, migrant sex workers remain one of the most vulnerable populations within the sex work community.

Country Profile: Sex Work Community in Antigua and Barbuda

Overview

Antigua and Barbuda, a twin-island nation in the Caribbean, has a small but active sex work community that includes both local and migrant sex workers. The legal framework surrounding sex work remains ambiguous—while prostitution itself is not illegal, activities such as solicitation and brothel ownership are criminalized. This creates an environment where sex workers operate in the shadows, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation, violence, and health risks.

Access to Healthcare

Sex workers in Antigua and Barbuda have access to healthcare services, including HIV and STI testing, through government-run clinics and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). However, these services are often delivered in settings that are laden with stigma and discrimination. Many sex workers report experiencing judgmental attitudes from healthcare providers, which discourages them from seeking regular medical care. Fear of exposure and mistreatment forces some sex workers to delay or avoid necessary health services, leading to worsened health outcomes within the community.

HIV Prevention and Condom Shortages

One of the key achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS within the sex work community has been a significant reduction in infection rates through targeted prevention programs, education, and the provision of condoms. However, in recent years, Antigua and Barbuda has faced a continued shortage of condoms, making it difficult for sex workers to practice safe sex consistently. This shortage has heightened the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially for those engaging in sex work under precarious economic conditions.

Migrant Sex Workers

The sex work industry in Antigua and Barbuda includes a notable population of migrant sex workers, primarily from other Caribbean nations and Latin America. These workers face additional challenges, including precarious immigration status, language barriers, and a lack of legal protections. Many migrant sex workers are at higher risk of exploitation, trafficking, and health disparities. Their undocumented status often prevents them from accessing healthcare services, legal aid, or social support, exacerbating their vulnerability in the industry.

Uncertainty Under the New U.S. Administration

The political climate and foreign aid policies of the United States have historically played a role in shaping health programs in the Caribbean, including those focused on HIV prevention and treatment. With the recent changes in the U.S. administration, there is now growing uncertainty regarding the sustainability of these initiatives. Funding cuts or shifts in policy priorities could undermine the progress made in reducing HIV/AIDS rates among sex workers in Antigua and Barbuda. The potential loss of support from international donors raises concerns about the continued availability of essential health resources and harm reduction strategies.