According to some activists, decriminalising sex work will play a big role because it will bring back the dignity of the sex worker. As we commemorate women’s month, the spotlight is thrust again on gender-based violence (GBV), experienced by women and girls worldwide, with South Africa recording some of the highest rates of sexual violence, globally. Sex workers are also not exempt from this. Recently Deputy Police Minister Bongani Mkhongi says he supports calls for the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa, while responding to questions from sex workers at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. According to him, police no longer want to arrest sex workers but are forced to by law. How will the decimalisation of sex work improve the lives of sex workers? Should we not be creating better opportunities for women, so they don’t even consider sex work?
GUESTS: Consultant at Nalane for Reproductive Justice, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng
GUEST: Kholi Buthelezi - who is the Sisonke national coordinator