Govt to work on policy to decriminalise sex work, vows Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is working towards decriminalising sex work.
Ramaphosa made the promise to loud applause at the signing of a declaration against gender-based violence and femicide at the Booysens Court in Oakdene.
The court was officially opened on Thursday.
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“We will work with all stakeholders to develop policy around the decriminalisation of sex work,” Ramaphosa said.
“There is a need for government to investigate harmful, religious and cultural practices that lead to the exploitation of women and children.
“As we establish these structures, we commit ourselves in this declaration to maintain, to resource to strengthen and to reinvigorate the existing gender machinery.”
#TotalShutdown activist Nkeletseng Tsetsane believes that decriminalizing sex work would mean that women will finally have the law on their side.
“The issue of decriminalizing sex work came from the fact that there are women on the streets that cannot get access to certain aspects of the law because they are seen to be committing a criminal offence. What we are saying with decriminalizing it means that they can take advantage and have the law on their side because women face some of the worst violence on the streets.”