Bringing trans and sex worker rights to the global agenda: right side ngo at csw69

From March 9 to 15, Lilit Martirosyan, President of Right Side NGO, and A., Projects manager, took part in the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. Within the framework of this significant global event, Right Side NGO representatives had the opportunity to engage in high-level meetings, strategic discussions, panel sessions, and closed-door consultations focusing on gender equality, the rights of trans, intersex, and queer individuals, as well as the challenges faced by sex workers.

CSW69 serves as an essential platform where civil society leaders, donor organisations, feminist activists, LGBTIQ+ advocates, and sex worker rights defenders come together to develop joint strategies and influence policy reforms. This year’s discussions particularly addressed the social, legal, and healthcare challenges faced by trans people in the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. In these regions, discriminatory legislation, social marginalisation, and the rise of anti-gender movements continue to hinder the fundamental rights of trans and queer individuals.

During the conference, Lilit Martirosyan delivered multiple speeches and participated as a speaker in various panel discussions, where she highlighted the pressing issues that trans and sex worker communities face in the region. Her interventions focused on political participation, social protection, countering anti-gender rhetoric, and strengthening regional cooperation to address these challenges effectively.

Additionally, Lilit Martirosyan was a featured speaker in a panel discussion organised by NSWP (Global Network of Sex Work Projects), which brought together sex worker activists, LGBTIQ+ advocates, allies, and representatives of international networks under one roof.

As a Steering Committee member of SWAN (Sex Worker Advocacy Network), Lilit Martirosyan delivered a powerful speech addressing the systemic discrimination faced by trans, intersex, and queer sex workers. She particularly emphasized the violence, legal restrictions, and socio-economic instability that continue to obstruct the fundamental rights of these communities.

This crucial discussion provided an opportunity to raise awareness on an international level about the harmful impact of discriminatory policies on trans and sex worker communities while simultaneously fostering solidarity and global collaboration.

For Right Side NGO, participation in such international platforms holds strategic importance, as it allows for strengthening partnerships, expanding regional cooperation, engaging the donor community, and increasing visibility on critical human rights issues.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all organizers, partners, panellists, and attendees for including Right Side NGO representatives in these significant discussions and for their recognition and support of our work. These meetings were not only essential for advancing policy changes but also provided renewed motivation to continue the fight for equality and social justice