In Johannesburg, South Africa on May 27, 2021, sex workers and their supporters yell and sing slogans during a march in solidarity with sex workers seeking to decriminalize their trade. GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP/Getty
South Africa announced on Friday that it would decriminalize sex work in an effort to reduce crime against women in a nation with one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world. In accordance with legislation suggested by the justice ministry, the sale and purchase of sexual services will no longer be considered illegal.
According to advocacy organizations, there are more than 150,000 sex workers in the United States.
“It is hoped that decriminalization will reduce breaches of human rights against sex workers,” Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said during a press event. It would also improve access to health care and provide sex workers with better protection, better working conditions, and less discrimination and stigma.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest HIV caseloads and an increasing wave of violence against women.
Police Minister Bheki Cele stated that between July and September, there was a tenfold rise in the number of women murdered compared to the same period last year, with nearly 1,000 women murdered. During the same time frame, there were 10,000 rapes, an increase of 11 percent, he claimed.
Survivors of sexual violence against women in South Africa speak up at 7:28
“Now that sex workers are no longer labeled as criminals, they can collaborate much more effectively with the authorities to combat violence,” SWEAT posted on Facebook, hailing the bill as “great news.”
Recent terrible events have rocked the nation, including the October discovery of six bodies, some of which were believed to be missing sex workers, in a Johannesburg building.
The post-apartheid constitution of South Africa is among the most progressive in the world, allowing for progressive rules on abortion and same-sex marriage, but sex work has long been a difficult issue.
The law, which has been submitted for public discussion, solely addresses decriminalization and does not regulate the sex business; Lamola indicated that regulation of the sex industry will come later.
Parliament must then ratify the proposed legislation before it can become law, a process that will take several months
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