BY BHESP TEAM, 27TH JULY 2021 – (……. Below is an excerpt taken from an interview with a sex worker who operates in an upmarket brothel in Nairobi. She tries to demystify some myths that are associated with sex work, not only in Kenya but almost everywhere globally………) I’ve been working in a Nairobi brothel […]
Every Tuesday at BHESP Kimathi is Juice Tuesday, where sex workers come together in a safe space and share their work experiences while receiving free condoms, contraceptives, ARVs, Prep pills, and most importantly, free advice from Betty, who hosts them. They do this while enjoying a glass of free juice. Without revealing her identity, Betty […]
Sex workers under their umbrella body Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Programme (BHESP) are raising concerns over safety of their work after reports emerged of missing condoms donated by the Global Fund to Kenya, that were under the custody of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). Some over 1000 000 condoms, 908 000 mosquito nets […]
BY BHESP TEAM. 12TH JANUARY 2022……The onset of the global coronavirus pandemic in 2019 disrupted economies across the world disproportionately, threatening the livelihoods of people working in the informal sector with low-wage jobs. These include sex workers, who are further marginalized due to the criminalization of sex work. Reports from diverse regions suggest sex workers continue […]
BHESP activists at a photo session during the retreat. UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls. 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a civil society–led campaign which was started by the Centre for Women Global Leadership in 1991. Every year, civil society organizations, governments, independent media houses, and other institutions […]
World Condom Day is celebrated annually on February 13th. The purpose of World Condom Day is to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. This year’s World condoms day comes at a time when the country is experiencing a high […]
Sustainable Livelihoods At BHESP, we believe in empowering vulnerable women by supporting them in starting sustainable businesses. These enterprises not only provide financial independence but also reduce vulnerability to risky situations. However, our members face significant challenges in setting up businesses due to stigma, discrimination, legal barriers, and limited access to financial resources. Many struggle […]
At BHESP, advocacy is not just what we do—it is who we are. We are the voice for women who have long been silenced and denied their basic rights. Every woman deserves to live with dignity, free from violence, stigma, and discrimination. But for many, this is still not a reality. Vulnerable women, including sex […]
HIV remains a critical health challenge in Kenya, affecting 1.378 million people, with women disproportionately impacted—890,747 women compared to 487,710 men (NSDCC 2023). Even more concerning, 78% of new infections occur among adolescent girls and young women. BHESP is on the frontlines, working to change this reality by providing inclusive, community-driven, and life-saving health services […]