Bar Hostess

05/12/2025

Nancy Gakuru

05/12/2025

The Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Program (BHESP) was privileged to attend the ICASA 2025 Conference under the theme “Africa in Action: Catalyzing Integrated Sustainable Responses to HIV, TB, and Malaria.”
We also participated in the Key Population Pre-Conference, where we engaged in meaningful discussions on the challenges faced by female s*x workers during the integration period and explored solutions to address these gaps.

During ICASA, we attended various sessions and visited multiple exhibitions showcasing diverse HIV prevention tools and innovative HIV test kits, many of which differ from those currently used in Kenya. Nancy from BHESP was privileged to present an abstract titled “Barriers to PEP and PrEP Uptake Among Female S*x Workers .” This session strengthened our understanding of the issues affecting s*x workers’ access to HIV prevention services.

BHESP remains committed to amplifying the voices of female s*x workers and advancing access to quality HIV prevention and care.

04/12/2025

This , we’re talking about a form of violence that lives in our pockets: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
For many of us, our phones are our lifeline for work, connection, and community. But for too many women and girls, they’ve also become spaces of fear, harassment, and abuse. From threatening messages and financial blackmail to stalking and non-consensual sharing of intimate images, the digital world mirrors and amplifies the violence women face offline......

https://bhesp.org/16-days-of-activism/

04/12/2025

04/12/2025

Integration works when dignity leads and when the most affected communities are fully included. With support from the IAS PCC Program, yesterday’s ICASA session explored how to safeguard person-centred care despite shrinking resources, and how true integration can uplift never compromise key populations. We were also inspired by the powerful ‘We Will Not Be Erased’ presentation from Teddy Munyimani of GALZ, Zimbabwe.

Chaired by Daisy Kwala – Bar Hostess Empowerment & Support Programme, Kenya and Ruth Akulu – Hope Stone Insight, Uganda.

02/12/2025

BHESP in ASAL stands in solidarity this .
Today, we join the call to —because rebuilding in our context isn’t about tearing things down, but strengthening what already works for our communities. We rebuild by honoring community-led models, the trust of peer navigation, the flexibility of DSD, and the dignity of person-centred care.

We rebuild by protecting the voices, systems, and approaches that have driven our greatest progress in the HIV response. Rebuilding boldly means standing firm in what people know, what people need, and what communities have created for themselves.

It’s time to rebuild with courage, honesty, and the leadership of those most affected.

30/11/2025

One Race. One Goal. A healthier, safer future for every woman.
This World AIDS Day, BHESP renews its commitment to empowering women with knowledge, support and stigma-free services. Together, we break barriers.

27/11/2025

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism, the Bar Hostess Empowerment & Support Program highlights the growing impact of digital violence on women’s mental health. Cruel messages, online threats, cyberbullying, stalking, and the nonconsensual sharing of images.This often happen on digital platforms but its impact is massive leading to anxiety, fear, depression, stress, and isolation.
Digital violence is real violence, and its emotional impact is deep and lasting. As we mark these 16 daysof activism ,we call on everyone to speak out against online harassment, support women who are targeted, promote mental health awareness, and help create safe, respectful digital spaces for all.
At BHESP, we stand with every woman online and offline who has undergone digital violence and is afraid to talk about it because her mind, her safety, and her voice matter.During this 16 Days of Activism, let’s rise for women’s digital safety, dignity, and mental well being.
, We UNiTE.

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26/11/2025

Digital violence is any harm inflicted on a woman through digital platforms. This includes but are not limited to; Cyberbullying,Harassment & threats,Non-consensual sharing of images (“revenge porn”),Stalking & digital tracking,Impersonation,Online hate speech,AI-generated s*xual content and Doxxing (sharing private information .
While technology connects us, it also creates risks. Understanding digital violence is the first step to preventing it. For you to be able to report threats and harassment you need to be aware of what Digital violence is .
All women deserve safe online spaces, free from harassment and threats. Awareness empowers women to recognize abuse, protect themselves, and support others in their communities.
When you share and repost POSTS of people bullying others and make jokes about it, you are equally a bully.
Say no to digital violence and cyber bullying! STOP IT 🛑

25/11/2025

Today we begin the 16 Days of Activism. Digital violence harms real women, every day. Let’s stand up, speak out, and create safer online spaces for all women.

06/11/2025

We are beyond proud to celebrate our very own Silvia Antonia Monroe who received the Phil Harvey Award from DKT International for her outstanding leadership in advancing s*xual and reproductive health and rights for women and young s*x workers living in the dumpsites of Nairobi.

This award honors the resilience of the Dumpsite Dadas, women who continue to turn pain into purpose, stigma into strength, and silence into leadership.

Thank you, DKT International and International Conference on Family Planning for recognizing that every woman — no matter where she lives or works — deserves dignity, health, and the right to make choices about her own body.

💪🏽 This is what resilience looks like.
💫 This is what community leadership looks like.

*xWorkersRights