South Africa: Sex workers call for decriminalization of their profession

On May 27, 2021, around 200 sex workers went on a protest in Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, demanding the decriminalization of prostitution. The protestors chanted, "Sex work is work, not a crime," and held up posters reading "Where is the crime?" and "Decrim sex work now."

Prostitution in South Africa is illegal for both the clients and the sex workers. As outlined in the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) 23 of 1957, last amended in 2007, Section 20 (1A)(a) "any person 18 years or older who has unlawful carnal intercourse, or commits an act of indecency, with any other person for reward [...] shall be guilty of an offence," meaning that both providing and receiving sexual services is criminalized. Keeping or visiting the brothel is also prohibited under Sections 2 and 3 of the SOA. 

According to the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), a South African organization advocating for the rights of South African sex workers, there are between 120,000 (one hundred twenty thousand) to 180,000 (one hundred eighty thousand) sex workers operating in South Africa.

Yonela Sinqu, Communications, Membership, and Evaluation Officer at Sisonke, South African national sex workers movement in South Africa managed by SWEAT, explained that decriminalization of sex work as a profession is essential for ensuring that sex workers enjoy the same rights and freedoms as other residents of South Africa. At the moment, sex workers are by no means protected from harassment by the police or their clients. As a result, sex workers often avoid reporting violence or abuse in fear of being prosecuted themselves. SWEAT estimated that around ten sex workers are murdered in South Africa each year, and without the legal means of protection, their safety and right to life are not guaranteed. 

For more information, please see https://www.africanews.com/2021/05/28/protesters-in-johannesburg-demand-prostitution-be-legalised/ and https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/protesters-in-johannesburg-demand-sex-work-be-legalised-20210527#:~:text=During%20a%20protest%20on%20Thursday,but%20can't%20report%20it