AFESIP Cambodia’s Peer Educator unit was founded in 2004 and is compromised of entertainment women (EW) who work in the sex establishments. They are active, courageous, literate, and well trained by AFESIP social workers. They are recruited in districts with a high concentration of brothels. AFESIP compensates the women monthly for the work they carry out in Phnom Penh city and various other provinces.

The peer educators’ objective is to assist AFESIP social workers in educating groups of entertainment women on how to properly maintain their health, deal with various and often violent clients, and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, peer educators help AFESIP social workers identify new comers and report back to AFESIP if further action should be taken. Seven to eight peer educators work regularly in nine districts of Phnom Penh city.

The peer educators carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Accompany the EWs to AFESIP clinic for medical consultations and treatment of STDs
• Educate and encourage the EWs on 100% use of condoms, risks of STDs, and blood testing
• Meet the new comers and hold friendly talks
• Accompany the EWs to social services when needed
• Encourage the EWs to consider other livelihoods besides sex work and to receive AFESIP free services
• Participate in a weekly meeting with AFESIP staff
• Gather the EWs from different target groups to participate in various events such as International Women’s Day, World AIDS Day, and Anti-Human Trafficking Day.