Group Offers 1,000 Commercial Sex Workers Therapy on Mental Health Challenges

By Praise Chinecherem

A total of 1,000 Female Sex Workers (FSWs) have been provided with valuable insights into mental health, human rights and importance of seeking help for mental health challenges by the Equitable Health for Women and Empowerment Initiative (EHWEI).

The group also offered the workers with coping mechanisms for mental health challenges

Speaking during a Mental Health and Human Rights Awareness Program, Executive Director, (EHWEI, Igwe Precious Nneka, emphasized the need to prioritize mental health.

She described mental health as essential aspect of emotional and physical well-being.

She listed high mental health challenges faced by FSWs to include depression, traumas, anxiety, urging them to take action in managing their mental health.

She also raised awareness about the importance of preventing child prostitution, the harmful effects of such practices.

“Mental well-being is important for overall health and affects how one feels, thinks, and behaves,” she added.

Underscoring the need for FSWs to understand and protect their human rights, Igwe made special emphasis on the dangers of underage sex work, noting that underage sex work contribute to physical, emotional, and psychological harm, as well as the violation of the rights of children.

Earlier, Program Officer, Paul Gloria during an interactive and educative discussion on mental health, violence, and the rights of FSWs, regretted the unique and complex challenges they face which often affect their mental and emotional well-being, such as stigma, discrimination, violence, and the criminalization of their work.

“These challenges create a significant mental health burden, which often lead to isolation and a lack of access to supportive services,” she said.

Paul also highlighted the issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), emphasizing how violence from clients and intimate partners contribute to emotional trauma and physical injuries.

She further explained how Patient’s Bill of Rights and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Lawsq protect individuals, including FSWs, from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.

She encouraged FSWs to speak out against abuse or mistreatment. She also reminded participants that they are entitled to quality health services and should seek help when necessary.

Speaking about collaborative efforts EHWEI has undertaken with various stakeholders such as Nigeria Police, NAPTIP, NHRC; General Hospitals to combat underage sex work in Ebonyi, the Program Officer said her group partnered with the organizations to raise awareness and implement measures to end child prostitution.

“These partnerships have focused on protecting vulnerable minors and providing them with education and alternative livelihood options,” she stressed.

Paul further reiterated EHWEI’s commitment to supporting FSWs’ mental health by offering free mental health services, counseling, therapy, and other mental health services through it referral system to FSWs who may not otherwise have access to such care.

She encouraged the FSWs to discuss how they personally manage stress and mental health challenges.