The European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance is a sex worker-led regional network of more than 100 organisations providing services to sex workers and advocating for sex workers’ rights in Europe and Central Asia.
ESWA will strengthen its digital rights and AI policy work to ensure sex workers’ voices shape the future of technology in Europe. ESWA will monitor and influence the implementation of the EU AI Act and Digital Services Act, ensuring accountability from platforms and policymakers.
Their activities include research on how sex workers use AI, advocacy for safer digital spaces, and training members to protect their rights online. ESWA will continue to challenge discrimination and exclusion in AI systems, making sure those most marginalised in digital spaces are not left behind.
ESWA built the capacity of their members and sex worker community to understand the implications of the Digital Services Act, and their digital rights. Community research on the impact of deepfakes on sex workers informed recommendations for a human rights-based regulation of this technology. Their research on social media accountability helped them establish relationships with social media platforms to promote an online environment that respects the human rights of sex workers.
ESWA advanced online advocacy for sex workers’ rights and strengthened community engagement. ESWA held action-planning meetings with members focused on EU policy developments and in 2024 organised Europe’s first in-person Digital Rights Convening for sex workers, member organisations, and allies. ESWA also succesfully advocated for sex workers’ digital rights in a number of EU policies and regulations, including the Digital Services Act and and AI Act.
