Gender Commission welcomes move to decriminalise sex work
The Commission for Gender Equality believes the decision by the government to hold consultative meetings on the possible decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa is a step in the right direction.
Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister John Jeffery last month announced that his department will host meetings with religious organisations, traditional leaders, and pro-sex work activists on the topic.
Commission spokesperson Javu Baloyi says sex workers continue to be marginalized and relegated to second-class citizens due to the continued criminalisation of their profession.
“The continued criminalisation and prohibitionist legal framework which has sanctioned sex-workers. The existing legal regime violates the human rights of sex workers who are entitled to all the human rights as contained in the South African constitution.”
Baloyi says sex work is an issue that must be dealt with through economic and social interventions rather than criminal law.
“The commission reiterates its position that the current regulatory regime criminalizing sex work in South Africa has failed to protect the rights of sex workers exposing them to various abuses from the public, law enforcement and preventing them from accessing effective healthcare and healthcare facilities.”
A study by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) indicates that sex work is a decision driven primarily by financial insecurity rather than coercion and exploitation.
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