South Africa: Sex Workers Offer Justice Department Help

Activists Urge Fast Tracking of Decriminalisation Bill

Sex workers and activists want the decriminalisation bill to move quickly. This bill is currently being drafted for the second time.

On Monday, June 2, members of SWEAT and the Asijiki Coalition set up desks outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Cape Town. The mock "help desk" represented collaboration between sex workers and the DOJ. An empty seat was reserved for the DOJ. A large sign read: "Sex workers are here to help you redraft the bill."

Lloyd Rugara, from Sisonke National Sex Work Movement, expressed hope. He said, "Maybe they will come down and draft the bill with us."

It has been two years since the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill of 2022 was withdrawn for revisions. In May 2023, state law advisors raised concerns about its lack of regulation. Former deputy minister John Jeffery noted these issues. The new deputy minister, Andries Nel, has since taken office.

Sex worker organisations demand a clear timeline for implementing the bill. They also want consultations with sex workers and prioritisation of this long-delayed reform.

Constance Mathe, national coordinator at Asijiki, highlighted recent challenges. Funding cuts from USAID led to closures of sex worker-friendly clinics. Now, sex workers struggle to access health services at public facilities. They face stigma and long wait times at clinics and hospitals.

Mathe believes that decriminalisation would allow sex workers to be recognised under labour laws. This change would lead to safer working conditions for them.

She also raised concerns about insufficient consultation during this second drafting process. Mathe stated that no redrafting should take two years.

A DOJ official named Ashika Singh came outside to meet with activists. She promised that they would receive a response within three weeks.