CARE Australia's four year (July 2013 – June 2017) Nâng Quyền ("Empowerment") project worked with sex workers in urban areas of Vietnam, policy and decision-makers within the Government of Vietnam, duty-bearers and legal aid service providers, to improve access to opportunities, services and protections for Female Sex Workers (FSW).

Vietnam has an estimated 300,000 FSW. Many are compelled to enter sex work to support their families, as there are few alternative job opportunities. FSW generally live and work in unsafe environments and risk exploitation, gender-based violence, discrimination and stigma. Duty bearers, such as police, commonly hold negative attitudes towards sex workers, as they often equate sex work with immorality. FSW also have little access to basic services, such as healthcare and legal protection and frequently lack a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

CARE Vietnam established Peer Support Clubs to provide 726 FSW with a safe space where they could seek advice or support from other sex workers and learn about their legal rights. The Clubs also offered an opportunity to access training and information on topics such gender-based violence, rights and protections, employment rights, contraception and family planning. FSW also developed skills to engage in policy dialogue with the government about protections for sex workers.

Nga, 28, is a sex worker who participated in her Peer Support Club's training on gender-based violence, harm reduction and HIV prevention in 2016. This not only made her aware of her rights but also enabled her to share her knowledge and experience with her peers many of who are younger and more vulnerable. "It's really good that CARE is bringing these sessions to different localities, because it's usually not feasible to get the sex workers out of their workplace."

CARE Vietnam also worked with the Department of Social Vice Prevention (DSVP), police and legal services providing staff with training, so they were better able to respond to FSW needs. Workshops were held on the causes and impact of violence and discrimination against FSW and related legal policies.

Quarterly meetings were also set up with FSW, police, DSVP and service providers. This enabled FSW to express their needs and opinions in a neutral setting and to provide input into local planning for service provision. For many duty bearers, it was the first time they had heard directly from FSW about their lives and experience of violence, stigma and discrimination. Police officers offered suggestions and guidance for FSW on how they should report incidences of violence. As a result, in FY2015-16, 88 cases were brought forward by FSW.

Since taking part in the project, FSW reported improved knowledge of their rights to accessing health and legal services, and now know how to contact legal aid services and police. They also have a better understanding of how to reduce the risks of violence and strategies for dealing with it. FSW have also been able to influence government policy and provided input into the National Action Plan on Prostitution Prevention and Control 2016-2020. Police officers now know that they should be accountable for responding to violence reported by FSW.

CARE Australia is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.