June 2009 was an important window of opportunity for advocating for the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa. The South African Law Reform Commission released its Discussion Paper on "Adult Prostitution" and has invited the public to give input on the topic.
The Law Commission has suggested four options to sex work and law in South Africa:
1. Total criminalisation of sex work (South Africa's current position)
2. Partial criminalisation
3. Non-criminalisation (the same as decriminalisation of sex work where sex work and related activities are no longer a crime)
Many women's and human rights advocates argue that the only legal option that will respect and protect the human rights of sex workers is non-criminalisation. Sex workers are on a daily basis subjected to violence from clients, the police and their boyfriends and have no legal recourse. They find it hard to access legal, social and health services because of the stigma attached them.
Johannesburg Sex Workers Speak Out
A writing workshop was organised by Sisonke (Johannesburg) and the Wits Writing Centre and supported by the Reproductive Health & HIV Research Unit (RHRU) and the Tswaranang Legal Advocacy Centre. Below are personal stories by sex workers.
Busie’s Story
I had a problem with the laws and the police before. I was in the hotel where I was staying and found a client from the bar. We went upstairs to do business, and He didn’t want a condom so I refused to have sex with him so he started beating me, so badly. I knew him and his place. I went to the police to his place and found him, but the police didn’t arrest him because he told them I was a sex worker, so the cops took his side. He started threatening me but the cops didn’t say anything. That was when I started to move form that hotel to another one.
Felicia's Story
For six months I was looking for jobs in the shops and factories but with no luck. During this time I survived or I was supported by my former schoolmate/friend but I didn't know what kind of job she was doing. But in the evening she packed her mini skirt [isgcebhezane], wore wigs and make-up, and only coming back in the morning the next day. In the meantime I would be left in the flat all by myself.
Muchaneta's Story
While working this job, I met a certain man in the hotel where I reside, as there is a bar on its ground floor. This man told me he wanted to take me home with him and so having agreed to his proposition, he then left money for me where I reside. So we went together where he lives, without him telling me he lived there with many other men. I was to find out the hard way as all six men then slept with me without putting on condoms. I cried helplessly as I had nowhere to go and report.
Translations by Corwin Mhlahlo. http://www.womensnet.org.za/files/resources/Muchaneta.pdf
Suzan's Story
My biggest problem with the law and the police is that the take us as we are the animals.
lot of abuse to a police; harassment. the don't want to take our case because we are a sex
workers you deserve to be abused. I think the best way to solve this problem is to, is to have sexworkers volunteers like us to teach the community about sexworkers, joining other organization; government meetings and the police.
http://www.womensnet.org.za/files/resources/Suzan.pdf
Thandi's Story
One day, 20 September 2002, I met a man in the hotel in which I am staying. We agreed that the man will pay me R150.00. He agreed but then he refused to use a condom, was very rude and brutal, and he forced himself on me after he told me that he was HIV+. I was too afraid to go and test, the situation was too painful. I started to hate myself and men. Finally I went to the clinic and there they mocked me. I also went to the police station and it was worse: they made a joke about my rape. I felt useless and dirty. http://www.womensnet.org.za/files/resources/Alternative_to_sex_work.pdf
Events
Date of event:
2 July 2009
Dr. Sylvia Tamale is a Ugandan feminist lawyer and academic based in Kampala, Uganda. She was elected as the first female Dean of Law at Makerere University in 2004. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from Makerere University, a Masters from Harvard Law School and a PhD in Sociology and Feminist Studies from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Tamale founded and serves as coordinator of the Law, Gender & Sexuality Research Project, and was also instrumental in introducing the Policy on Sexual Harassment at Makerere University.
Date of event:
7 July 2009
The new architecture of "global governance" raises serious problems of accountability due to the further erosion of the post-colonial state's monopoly over policy-making for its citizens. Non-state actors have increasingly begun to shape the formulation and implementation of soft law and policy. The talk will address the consequences of a proliferation of sub-national and supra-national actors and arena of norm production using empirical material on shifts in population policy and programmes in India.
Job Opportunities
Application Deadline:
8 Jul 2009
The Market Photo Workshop seeks to employ an individual with a dynamic personality to be their Operations and Projects Manager.
Application Deadline:
10 Jul 2009
The South African Red Cross Society seeks to appoint an individual with excellent report writing skills to be their National Programmes Assistant.
Application Deadline:
3 Jul 2009
People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) seeks to employ individuals with relevant qualifications and who have experience dealing with abused women to be their Social Workers.
Application Deadline:
10 Jul 2009
The Youth Development Network (YDN) seeks to appoint an individual with research experience to be their Programme Coordinator.
