What is PA?

Pledging Action (PA) is a small, informal, grassroots project under the umbrella of SWOP-East, a US-based, public nonprofit organization (officially known as a 501(c)3). PA is operated by SWOP-East board members – including one in Chile. PA is created for the benefit of sex workers, not the general public.

The idea was born after watching “Taking the Pledge” about the USAID anti-sex work pledge international organizations were forced to take in order to receive USAID funding. Giving condoms to international organizations that support sex workers seemed to be a good answer to the many problems created by the Pledge.

Helping Sex Workers

Our focus is on helping sex workers of any gender or orientation. PA collects condom donations in the US and mails them to an organization for distribution. The organizations we service focus on sex workers’ needs. If there are no sex worker organizations in an area, we will consider condom distribution through general health organizations – if they allow sex workers to receive our condom donations.

PA will produce written material, such as condom facts, condom usage tips, disease information and teaching sex workers how to overcome objections to condom usage among their clients. Because PA wishes to remain small and grassroots, this is the extent of PA’s actions and offerings.

The Reason for This Blog

Part of our blog’s mission is as a record-keeping device; hopefully it will become a resource for other like-minded individuals and organizations to start their own condom-donation programs.

If You Represent a Sex Worker Organization

PA is always open to serving more sex worker organizations in areas of need. That possibility is never closed.