The e-MPOWER youth activist toolbox contains materials related to the mental health, sexual health, and rights of people living with HIV, LGBTQI+ communities, and sex workers.

The project “Partnership to overcome challenges of online learning and to empower youth actors in the field of sexual health promotion in the COVID-19 era” (e-MPOWER) was an Erasmus+ funded collaboration between the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), European Sex Workers rights Alliance (ESWA), and Legebitra.

 

e-MPOWER aimed to support youth activists to be able to deliver online peer-training sessions focused on the digital rights, and both the sexual and mental health of people living with HIV, sex workers, and LGBTQI+ communities.

 

The e-MPOWER online toolbox is publicly available and contains materials related to the mental health, sexual health, and rights of people living with HIV, LGBTQI+ communities, and sex workers. It also includes e-MPOWER specific reports with recommendations for delivering online sexual health training, monitoring and evaluating of training content, and assessing the personal impact of such a training on participants and trainers in a way that is mindful of participant psychological well-being and digital safety.

 

The e-MPOWER toolbox is intended for youth advocates, volunteers, trainers, and those who work closely with youth, who want to deliver an online sexual health and rights training programme.

 


For the creation of this toolbox, all third-parties online materials were accessed and retrieved in June and July 2022. EATG is not responsible for the accessibility of materials that are hosted outside of its servers. If a link is not working please contact us.

| Mental Health |

1.1 Determinants for Mental Health

By: Commission for Equality in Mental Health

This resource offers valuable information about the determinants of mental health and investigates how exclusion, poverty and racism are risk factors for both experiencing mental health issues and lacking full access to mental health resources. It was written in response to the inequalities in mental health in policy and practice in the UK.

 

Determinants for Mental Health

1.2 Toolkit on supporting sex workers’ mental health and well-being

By: The European Sex Workers rights Alliance (ESWA)

This tool kit offers practical advice about mental health, mental health crises, as well as a list of activities and best practices from sex worker-led organisations that can be replicated on different scales and with little to subsequent budget to meet the needs of various organisations.

 

Toolkit on supporting sex workers’ mental health and well-being

1.3 Briefing Paper: Mental Health of People Living with HIV

By: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)

This paper provides a list of recommendations on how to improve the provision of mental health services for people living with and affected by HIV in Europe and Central Asia. It is based on the results of research conducted by the European AIDS Treatment Group, as well as consultations and community feedback.

 

Briefing Paper: Mental Health of People Living with HIV

1.4 Online self-paced training: safety, security and well-being for activists

By: Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE)

In partnership with AKÃHATÃ, GATE has developed a specialised free training for global trans and gender diverse activists engaging with digital communications. Sessions include reflections on violence, security and safety, feminist self-care, digital security, as well as safety and self-care plans for organisations. When you sign up, your name will be visible to other participants. If you require anonymity, create an alternative gmail account using a pseudonym to complete the training.

 

Online self-paced training: safety, security and well-being for activists

Further reading about mental health

COVID-19 and mental health: immediate and long term impacts

By: Mental Health Innovation Network

This paper summarises evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being. It also looks at the projected impact of mental health on the efficacy of COVID-19 prevention, treatment and control measures.

 

COVID-19 and mental health: immediate and long term impacts

Befrienders worldwide suicide prevention

By: Befrienders Worldwide

Befrienders offer a network of 349 independent emotional support centres in 32 countries that provide an open space for those in distress to talk and be heard. This confidential service is provided via telephone helplines, SMS messaging, face to face, outreach, partnerships and online.

 

Befrienders worldwide suicide prevention

COVID-19 in marginalised groups: challenges, actions and voices 

By: Nobody Left Outside (NLO) Initiative

This detailed report about COVID-19 targets policy makers and provides an overview on the specific challenges that marginalised groups in Europe face, the impacts of the pandemic on them and government responses.

 

COVID-19 in marginalised groups: challenges, actions and voices

Urgent mental health care UK

By: The National Health Service (NHS)

This website offers information about health and social care, as well as how to access it. They aim to empower people to make confident decisions about care and treatment and to improve health and well-being. They also provide guidance about how to respond to major health events.

 

Urgent mental health care UK

| LGBTQI+ |

2.1 Trans wellness zine

By: Gender and Justice Leadership Programs

This zine has been created for trans youth by trans youth with the purpose of helping in the wellness journey. Content includes emergency planning, journal prompts and interviews with non-binary and trans folks about their experience of trans wellness.

 

 

Trans wellness zine

2.2 LGBTQI youth educational guides

By: International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO)

IGLYO provides several downloadable guides on gender and LGBTQI+ issues that aim to help educate through cross-cultural exchange and a peer learning approach that involves sharing strategies and visions. Some of the guides featured are: intersectional tool kit, supporting your intersex child, LGBTQI+ inclusive education, and many more.

 

 

LGBTQI youth educational guides

2.3 Self-paced online course: Foundational LGBTQ+ understanding & inclusion

By: The Safe Zone Project

The Safe Zone has created an online self-paced and guided course on the basics of LGBTQIA+ identities. Course topics include: orientation, core vocabulary, privilege, gender expression and intersectionality. It also provides extra learning material for further reading.

 

 

Self-paced online course: Foundational LGBTQ+ understanding & inclusion

2.4 Framing Equality Toolkit

By: International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Europe (ILGA-Europe)

This ILGA-Europe guide provides a framework for strategic communications geared towards people who are involved in LGBTQIA+ activism in Europe. The guide can be a source for inspiration for other kinds of activism as well.

 

 

Framing Equality Toolkit

Further reading about LGBTQI+

Sex worker rights are LGBTQI+ rights

By: SCOT PEP

This briefing paper explores the intersection of the LGBTQI+ community and sex work. It addresses topics such as: the criminalisation of marginalised populations, homophobia and transphobia in sex work policy making, and issues with service provision and LGBTQI+ organisations.

 

 

Sex worker rights are LGBTQI+ rights

LGBTQ+ vocabulary: glossary of terms

By: The Safe Zone Project

The Safe Zone Project provides a glossary of terminology relating to LGBTQI+ identities and people, sexualities and genders. This resource could be helpful for people who are not familiar with basic concepts and want to learn more.
The Safe Zone strives to have this be an ever-improving list.

 

 

LGBTQ+ vocabulary: glossary of terms

Resources for International LGBTQ Youth

By: The Trevor Project: International community network

A safe and digitally secure social networking site for LGBTQI+ young people and their allies around the world. The Trevor Project makes sure that the only people allowed on the site are ages 13 to 24. Hate-speech, discrimination, or bullying of any kind are not allowed nor tolerated. They cover topics such as coming out, gender expression, queer identities, mental health, Black Queer identities, bisexuality, plus they offer many other guides on relevant topics for queer youth.

 

 

Resources for International LGBTQ Youth

| Sex Work |

3.1 The consequences of misinformation about sex work and sex workers

By: The Global Network of Sex Worker Projects (NSWP)

An important community guide by NSWP about the consequences of the misinformation about sex work. This tool outlines myths about sex work that are harmful to sex workers and therefore can help to counter-act misinformation.

 

 

The consequences of misinformation about sex work and sex workers

3.2 Sex Work & Racism: Historical Overview of Racism in Anti-Sex Work, Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Immigration (ASWTI) Legislation in Europe

By: The European Sex Workers rights Alliance (ESWA)

This report outlines how the sexual racialisation of non-Western peoples by European and North American powers was both a source and product of racism during chattel slavery, colonialism, and militarised prostitution. It explores how sexualised racialisation and racism has influenced ASWTI legislation and policy and how this continues to fuel daily racism and discrimination towards Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) sex workers.

 

 

 

Sex Work & Racism: Historical Overview of Racism in Anti-Sex Work, Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Immigration (ASWTI) Legislation in Europe

3.3 Sex Work and Feminism

By: The Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)

This guide highlights the feminist principles of sex worker-led collectives and organisations, aiming to help human rights, social justice, and women’s rights activists who situate sex workers’ struggles in the wider feminist movement(s). It also lists commonly formulated abolitionist arguments that accompany advocacy for the introduction of the Swedish model, and contrasts them with counter-arguments from sex workers.

 

 

 

Sex Work and Feminism

3.4 Ho lover zine: about dating & friending sex workers

By: The Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM)

This zine provides information about dating and friending sex workers for the non-sex worker population. It provides real life experiences, tips and mistakes to be avoided, as well as resources that were created by sex workers to challenge sex work stigma within relationships and beyond.

 

 

 

Ho lover zine: about dating & friending sex workers

Further reading about Sex Work

Access to Mental Health Services for People Who Sell Sex in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and UK

By: The Sex Work and Mental Health (SWMH) Project

This in-depth report on the mental health of sex workers in Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK analyses how structural barriers affect sex workers’ experiences of mental health and access to quality support. It also maps out sex workers’ mental health needs and experiences starting from their own understanding and sets out to identify best support and care models for the mental health of sex workers.

 

 

 

Access to Mental Health Services for People Who Sell Sex in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and UK

Sex Work and COVID-19: Guidelines for Sex Workers, Clients, Third Parties, and Allies 

By: The Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network and Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project

This guide has been created for sex workers during the COVID-19 pandemic to find alternative ways to do sex work. It provides guidelines on reducing acquisition risk and strategies for those who must work in-person during the ongoing pandemic. The guide also includes guidelines for clients, allies and healthcare providers on how to best support sex workers.

 

 

 

Sex Work and COVID-19: Guidelines for Sex Workers, Clients, Third Parties, and Allies

Femme Whore zine

By: Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM)

This is an informative and personal zine developed for sex workers by sex workers that talks about lived experiences of femmephobia, discrimination and oppression.

 

 

 

Femme Whore zine

Migration and Sex Work Is Not Trafficking

By: The Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network

This informative guide aims to expose the conflation of trafficking and migration, centring the voices and experiences of migrants. It focuses on respecting the self determination of migrant sex workers as well as understanding their realities.

 

 

 

Migration and Sex Work Is Not Trafficking

Caught in the carceral web: Anti Trafficking laws and their impacts on migrant sex workers

By: The Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network

This Canadian report examines the harms of a carceral approach on the web to target sex trafficking, often conflated with sex work. It focuses on the most marginalised populations who are at risk of being targeted by law enforcement through surveillance, racial profiling, arrest, detention and deportation in the name of protecting them from human trafficking, with enormously negative impacts on their health and welfare.

 

 

 

Caught in the carceral web: Anti Trafficking laws and their impacts on migrant sex workers

Fact sheets all about sex work

By: Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work

Asijiki provides various fact sheets on topics in relation to sex work such as: human rights, HIV, the law, and migration. Each fact sheet includes references and detailed information about the topic.

 

 

 

Fact sheets all about sex work

A Pathway to End Violence Against Migrant Sex Workers: Access, Safety, Dignity and Justice

By: Joint project of Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network), Chinese Canadian National Council (Toronto Chapter) and Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic

This guide, written in collaboration with many sex work organisations in Canada, targets service providers who work with migrant sex workers and provides practical information on how to better support migrant sex workers who experience violence, discrimination or other forms of abuse. The main objective is to improve service providers understanding of the complexity of migrant sex workers’ situations and their capacity to offer relevant and adequate supports and services.

 

 

 

A Pathway to End Violence Against Migrant Sex Workers: Access, Safety, Dignity and Justice

Short documentary: ‘Sex Workers Festival of Resistance’

By: Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM)

As part of “The Sex Workers Festival of Resistance”, SWARM along with Scot Pep, Umbrella Lane, ARIKA invited sex workers, activists and allies to come together and share their knowledge on how to protect sex workers rights. This is a short and informative documentary about the festival.

 

 

 

Short documentary: ‘Sex Workers Festival of Resistance’

| HIV |

4.1 Sex Work and HIV in Europe: Advocacy Tool Kit

By: European Sex Workers rights Alliance (ESWA) and the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)

ESWA and EATG have published a series of resources on ‘Sex Work and HIV Prevention’. These resources, available as a tool kit, aim to provide key information to sex workers and HIV activists as well as policy makers, and to re-affirm community and international recommendations.

 

 

 

Sex Work and HIV in Europe: Advocacy Tool Kit

4.2 Questions and Answers on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

By: PrEPster

PrEPster provides an essential FAQ booklet with commonly asked questions and informative and accurate information about PrEP. This booklet could be helpful for anyone who is thinking about taking PrEP or people who want to be better informed about HIV preventive measures.

 

 

 

 

Questions and Answers on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

4.3 Online Training: Trans Inclusion in HIV National Strategic Plans

By: Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE)

GATE, in collaboration with amfAR, has developed a free online open-access training designed to help trans and gender diverse activists to address their exclusion from HIV National Strategic Plans (NSPs). When you sign up, your name will be visible to other participants. If you require anonymity, create an alternative gmail account using a pseudonym to complete the training.

 

 

 

 

Online Training: Trans Inclusion in HIV National Strategic Plans

4.4 Mapping Paper: U=U Awareness-raising/Education Initiatives in HIV and non-HIV Care Settings

By: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)

This report provides examples of initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) fact in HIV /or in non-HIV care settings in Europe and Central Asia.

 

 

 

 

Mapping Paper: U=U Awareness-raising/Education Initiatives in HIV and non-HIV Care Settings

Further reading about HIV

The Safer Sex Guide

By: Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)

An informative and creatively designed guide to safer sex, consent, drug use and sex, and the basics of sexually transmitted infections. It also provides additional resources for further reading.

 

 

 

 

The Safer Sex Guide

HIV transmission fact sheet

By: Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)

An explanatory fact sheet on HIV transmission.

 

 

 

 

HIV transmission fact sheet

Self-directed Learning (online)

By: Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)

Free self-directed and self-paced courses about HIV and HEP C, prevention, basic info, transmission. When you sign up, your name will be visible to other participants. If you require anonymity, create an alternative gmail account using a pseudonym to complete the training.

 

 

Self-directed Learning (online)

Undetectable = Untransmittable: Public health and HIV Viral Load Suppression

By: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

A short and explanatory fact sheet about public health messaging on HIV viral load suppression.

 

 

 

 

Undetectable = Untransmittable: Public health and HIV Viral Load Suppression

The Criminalization of HIV Transmission

By: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

A policy brief on the impacts of criminalisation of people who live with HIV. This document also provides alternatives to criminal law and the concerns about the miscarriage of justice.

 

 

 

 

The Criminalization of HIV Transmission

About HIV

By: NAM Aidmap

Various guides with clear and reliable information on all aspects of HIV. Easy-to-read and available in different languages, it includes illustrated information, videos and glossaries.

 

 

 

 

About HIV

Short animated video: The science of HIV and AIDS

By: AsapScience

A short, animated video by AsapScience available on YouTube that explains the science of HIV and AIDS.

 

 

 

 

Short animated video: The science of HIV and AIDS

| Project Resources |

5.1 e-MPOWER Guide for psychological well-being during online trainings

By: Legebitra

This guide was written as part of the e-MPOWER project and aims to describe the importance of online learning and well-being of youth activists. During the e-MPOWER pilot sessions, we collected data from the participants and the trainers about their psychosocial well-being. The guide presents the data and its analysis, and provide some key guidelines on how to ensure psychosocial well-being during online training. The guide is available in English, Russian and Slovenian.

 

 

 

 

e-MPOWER Guide for psychological well-being during online trainings

5.2 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the e-MPOWER training programme

By: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)

This document outlines the e-MPOWER training programme monitoring and evaluation and provides recommendations for future evaluations of online training sessions. The document is available in English, Russian and Slovenian.

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the e-MPOWER training programme

5.3 e-MPOWER Online Training Programme outline

By: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), Legebitra and the European Sex Workers rights Alliance (ESWA)

This document outlies the e-MPOWER online training programme . Training sessions took place on Zoom and unique, password protected meeting links were provided to ensure only registered participants were able to access the session. Each session was led by a different peer trainer with a supporting peer trainer present for logistical/technical support. Slides from each module were shared once that module had completed.

 

 

e-MPOWER Online Training Programme outline

5.4 e-MPOWER Project Key Learnings

By: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), Legebitra and the European Sex Workers rights Alliance (ESWA)

A summary of the Erasmus+ funded e-MPOWER sexual health online youth training. This slide deck covers project objectives, implementation, and presents recommendations from the e-MPOWER monitoring and evaluation framework report and guide for psychological well-being during online trainings.

 

 

e-MPOWER Project Key Learnings

Credits

Sarah North Toolbox Coordinator
Kali Sudhra Toolbox Developer
Apostolos Kalogiannis Toolbox Layout and Production
Sophie Monk Visual Identity and Project Reports Design
Miha Feher Translations (Slovenian)
Olga Zubkovskaya Translations (Russian)
Jules James Selection/Reviewer of Toolbox Content
Maja Radivoj Selection/Reviewer of Toolbox Content
Sabrina Sanchez Reviewer of Toolbox Content
Ann-Isabelle von Lingen Reviewer of Toolbox Content
Luca Stevenson Reviewer of Toolbox Content
Rocco Pignata Proofreader of Toolbox Material Descriptions

 

This project has been co-funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ programme under grant agreement No 008320.

The content of the project’s publications are solely the opinion of the author(s); The EU Commission and National Agency are not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

The outputs of the project are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence.

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