History of AINSW

A group of sex workers organizations and sex work support organizations committed to the cause of sex workers had come together in 2005 to forge a network of sex workers named National Network of Sex workers (NNSW).

The primary objective of the network was to articulate the voices of sex workers and let it be heard across the country.

Over the years NNSW and its member organizations went through several campaigns / movements to raise their issues both at State and regional levels.

This informal grouping was formally registered as All India Network of Sex workers (AINSW) in the year 2011.

• AINSW is a membership-based network of sex workers organization. Each member organization has equal rights and voting power.
• It is a federation of CBOs of sex workers who are engaged in promoting and protecting the rights of sex workers in addition to their engagement in HIV intervention program.
• AINSW is governed by its Board members, core committee, advisory board, and secretariat.
• AINSW ensures democratic and inclusive process in governance and functioning of the network, hence all the decisions and discussions with regards to the network are taken with inputs from all governing members.
• AINSW’s Board members represent sex worker led community based organizations and are themselves presently or were formerly in sex work.
• Six senior sex workers form the core committee, who make operational decisions with guidance of mentors and advisors.
• Advisors are senior professionals, who have been part of movement spaces in India over two decades.
• AINSW’s core committee finalizes the budget requirements and the Board members approve the annual budgets and statement of expenditure. There are clearly laid out financial approval processes, including oversight from Board members and accounts department staff of fiscal partners, and observation of the finance department and advisors.
• AINSW follows standard democratic norms and practices for communication, participation and representation. Due to financial constraints, the secretariat holds a meeting of all members twice a year.
• The network coordinates activities at central level leaving member organizations free to develop and implement programs based on their reach and ability within certain broad guiding principles. AINSW provides the necessary support primarily for national-level advocacy and network-building with its limited resource base.