International Women’s Day & The Sex Work Strike

The 8th of March is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women worldwide. A day to recognise the invisible work that is carried out each day by women to keep our daily lives running smoothly. A day to acknowledge the struggles still faced by women and to work towards a future of true equality.

As a Sex Worker wellbeing project, Umbrella Lane also wishes to highlight the Sex Worker Strike that is taking place across the world today.

And although we are well aware that not all Sex Workers’ are women; we also recognise that many Sex Workers are women and that women bear the brunt of the stigma attached to sex work. Especially trans women.

With that in mind, we wanted to share some information about the Sex Worker Strike.

The Sex Work Strike started in 2019 alongside the Womens’ Strike, the strike was organised to show the demand for decriminalisation and safe working conditions.

This year (2021) the strike is taking on a more sombre tone as it becomes a day to remember those lost to violence and neglect , with memorials being held in a socially distanced way across the UK. However the continued message of wanting decriminalisation and safe working conditions still rings clear within the Sex Worker community.

Umbrella Lane stands in solidarity with our community and hopes for a future where everyone can work safely with respect and free from fear of prejudice or stigma.