Parapli Rouz

Parapli Rouz focuses on supporting sex workers through a community-based approach, offering the following services:

• Providing education through peer interactions.
• Prevention by raising awareness about sexually transmitted diseases.
• Empowerment programme including personal development and life skills, literacy, English, IT, and more.
• Support services offering listening, guidance, and accompaniment.
• Providing education and training to inform beneficiaries of their rights.
• Advocacy for the respect of rights and the elimination of all forms of violence.
• Providing legal advice and representation when needed.

Parapli Rouz, a community-based organisation in Mauritius, was launched in 2010 by a group of social workers who were concerned about the human rights violations faced by sex workers in the country. The organisation's mission is to fight for the respect of sex workers' rights and eliminate all forms of violence against them.

Originally, Chrysalide took the project under its wing, focusing primarily on HIV prevention among sex workers. Chrysalide organised a march in the streets of Rose Hill to commemorate the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17. Internationally, the red umbrella is used by sex workers and their allies as a symbol of protection against violence.

In 2014, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria began financing an empowerment programme for sex workers across the island. The programme was launched in July, and a few months later, the beneficiaries came together to develop a strategic plan, leading to the formation of the association.

In 2015, Parapli Rouz began to establish itself as an independent community organisation. It gradually separated from Chrysalide, opening its doors in Port-Louis in January and receiving its certificate of registration in June. Today, Parapli Rouz stands as a full-fledged NGO dedicated to advocating for the rights and protection of sex workers in Mauritius.

• To strengthen community mobilisation and improve the quality of life for sex workers.
• To promote access to justice for sex workers and defend their human rights.
• To promote access to healthcare for sex workers and their partners through prevention, support, and medical care.
• To enhance the organisational capacity of the NGO to improve the quality of services offered.

Parapli Rouz is a member of the regional network African Sex Workers Alliance and the international network Global Network for Sex Work Project, as well as Aids & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, Ravane Océan Indien, and the Plateforme Océan Indien. In 2016, the Parapli Rouz team reached over 2,000 sex workers across the island.

• Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria:
  • Funding Received Through: PILS, the principal recipient of the Global Fund.
  • Contact Person: Emilie Trousselier-Seepursaund (e.trousselier@pils.mu | 2124841)
  • Amount Funded: Rs 6,000,000 over 3 years
  • Purpose: Increasing access to health services for sex workers practicing in Mauritius.
• Red Umbrella Fund:
  • Co-Financer: Supports the caravan service and empowerment programmes.
  • Contact Person: Louise Lafleur (louise@redumbrellafund.org)
  • Amount Funded: Rs 772,200 over 2 years
• Lions Club de Quatre-Bornes:
  • Financer: Supports capacity building through the development of a procedure’s manual.
  • Contact Person: Eric Bestel
  • Amount Funded: Rs 50,000

Beneficiaries: Over 1,000 individuals.