who we are
vision: Let us unite to be a foundation and guiding light for the human rights of all female ENTERTAINMENT workers in Papua New Guinea. Together, we aim to ensure respect for who we are, advocate for a better quality of life, fair treatment, and equal opportunities for all.
mission: Friends Frangipani is dedicated to standing together for the rights of female ENTERTAINMENT workers in Papua New Guinea. Our mission is to guide and support both new and existing female ENTERTAINMENT workers, including those who have not yet come out. We aim to expand our reach across all provinces, establishing provincial offices to connect with those who need us the most, especially those not yet confident to come forward.
We are committed to fostering strong relationships within Friends Frangipani is dedicated to standing together for the rights of female entertainment workers in Papua New Guinea. Our mission is to guide and support both new and existing female sex workers, including those who have not yet come out. We aim to expand our reach across all provinces, establishing provincial offices to connect with those who need us the most, especially those not yet confident to come forward.
We are committed to fostering strong relationships within entertainment worker communities and ensuring services are welcoming and accessible. Our organization will act as a representative body, advocating for the human rights of female entertainment workers, and striving to improve their quality of life and opportunities.
Our executive committee and membership will include representatives from all 23 provinces, ensuring that our initiatives are guided by community members themselves. We will provide a range of peer-educational resources specifically designed to meet the needs of sex workers, and our work will be driven by the principles of working by, with, and for PNG entertainment workers. Together, through unity and collaboration, we will be strengthened and empowered.
worker communities and ensuring services are welcoming and accessible. Our organization will act as a representative body, advocating for the human rights of female sex workers, and striving to improve their quality of life and opportunities.
Our executive committee and membership will include representatives from all 23 provinces, ensuring that our initiatives are guided by community members themselves. We will provide a range of peer-educational resources specifically designed to meet the needs of sex workers, and our work will be driven by the principles of working by, with, and for PNG Entertainment workers. Together, through unity and collaboration, we will be strengthened and empowered.
principles
values & BELIEFS: 1. ENTERTAINMENT Workers Only:
Friends Frangipani is an association created by, with, and for PNG female entertainment workers. We believe that we all have the right to represent ourselves, and Friends Frangipani aims to amplify the voices of entertainment workers. Therefore, Friends Frangipani will only employ staff who have experience working as entertainment workers.
2. Sex Workers Solving Our Own Problems:
Friends Frangipani believes that sex workers should be involved in the design, delivery, implementation, and evaluation of approaches to issues that affect us. We aim to be self-determining, supporting each other to grow and learn, and to pass on skills so that together we can manage our own business.
3. Including All PNG Sex Workers:
Friends Frangipani seeks to address the needs and rights of all PNG sex workers. We strive to involve all groups of female sex workers, including those who are hidden, those who have not come out, married women, and those with or without formal education. Friends Frangipani will include all female sex workers who are above 18 years of age, regardless of status or origin.
04. Promoting Human Rights
Friends Frangipani’s primary goal is to advocate for and exercise the human rights of all groups of sex workers throughout Papua New Guinea. We believe that sex workers have the right to:
· Decide what to do with their bodies.
· Make an income through sex work.
· Access quality services without discrimination.
· Expect protection from the police.
· Live free from stigma and discrimination.
· Be treated with respect and dignity.
05. Addressing Stigma and Discrimination
Friends Frangipani believes that until the environment of stigma and discrimination changes, it is difficult to maximize the health and well-being of female sex workers, especially when forced to operate underground. The laws against sex work make our situation more dangerous. Many female sex workers face police violence, abuse, and corruption.
When we wish to report violence, we worry about being arrested or discriminated against, and often our concerns are not taken seriously. As the police can arrest us and disrupt our work, we are forced to find even more hidden ways to operate.
To ensure that sex workers are free to work and report crimes against us, we need a change in the laws that criminalize sex work.
organisational structure
networking
sex work in the country/region
Priority work areas
Sensitizing the Police at their Station to stop GBV against sex workers.
governance
involvement of community members
events and challanges
1. Referral pathways with partners
2. Clinical Services
3. Legal Services
achivements
Funded by the Global Network of Sex Work in 2021 and 2022.
2021: SWIT – COMMUNITY LED MONITORING
2022: STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
Community Convening with Sex Workers
Stigma and Discrimination that underpins GBV and Human Rights Violations
Reports
FF - GBV Presentation.pptxSUCCESS STORIES
IMPACT ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC
FF members have received a supply of food during COVID-19 Pandemic.
Food packed into bags for distribution at the homes for the vulnerable women who have suffered f rom the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Community members have been recognised by APNSW and funded them to survive during the crisis when COVID-19 attacked everyone in 2019.
WHAT CHALLENGES WILL OUR ORGANISATION FACE IN THE FUTURE?
FF Core Group planning a 5 months activity plan to strengthen their programs.
values & BELIEFS: 1. ENTERTAINMENT Workers Only:
Friends Frangipani is an association created by, with, and for PNG female entertainment workers. We believe that we all have the right to represent ourselves, and Friends Frangipani aims to amplify the voices of entertainment workers. Therefore, Friends Frangipani will only employ staff who have experience working as entertainment workers.
2. Sex Workers Solving Our Own Problems:
Friends Frangipani believes that 1. Sex Workers Only:
Friends Frangipani is an association created by, with, and for PNG female sex workers. We believe that we all have the right to represent ourselves, and Friends Frangipani aims to amplify the voices of sex workers. Therefore, Friends Frangipani will only employ staff who have experience working as sex workers.
2. Sex Workers Solving Our Own Problems:
Friends Frangipani believes that sex workers should be involved in the design, delivery, implementation, and evaluation of approaches to issues that affect us. We aim to be self-determining, supporting each other to grow and learn, and to pass on skills so that together we can manage our own business.
3. Including All PNG Sex Workers:
Friends Frangipani seeks to address the needs and rights of all PNG sex workers. We strive to involve all groups of female sex workers, including those who are hidden, those who have not come out, married women, and those with or without formal education. Friends Frangipani will include all female sex workers who are above 18 years of age, regardless of status or origin.
04. Promoting Human Rights
Friends Frangipani’s primary goal is to advocate for and exercise the human rights of all groups of sex workers throughout Papua New Guinea. We believe that sex workers have the right to:
· Decide what to do with their bodies.
· Make an income through sex work.
· Access quality services without discrimination.
· Expect protection from the police.
· Live free from stigma and discrimination.
· Be treated with respect and dignity.
05. Addressing Stigma and Discrimination
Friends Frangipani believes that until the environment of stigma and discrimination changes, it is difficult to maximize the health and well-being of female entertainment workers, especially when forced to operate underground. The laws against entertainment work make our situation more dangerous. Many female entertainment workers face police violence, abuse, and corruption.
When we wish to report violence, we worry about being arrested or discriminated against, and often our concerns are not taken seriously. As the police can arrest us and disrupt our work, we are forced to find even more hidden ways to operate.
To ensure that entertainment workers are free to work and report crimes against us, we need a change in the laws that criminalize entertainment work.
Workers should be involved in the design, delivery, implementation, and evaluation of approaches to issues that affect us. We aim to be self-determining, supporting each other to grow and learn, and to pass on skills so that together we can manage our own business.