The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has voiced its support for the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa.
At the recent AGM by the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work, the CGE joined a coalition of sex workers, activists, advocates and human rights defenders who are advocating for related law reform.
The Commission indicated in a statement that its starting point was the distinction of sex work from prostitution.
“Our view is that the current legal regime harms the interests of sex workers by denying them their human and constitutional rights to protection as well as preventing access to legal assistance and enjoyment of their labour rights.
As the Commission, we have reaffirmed our commitment to decriminalisation of sex work, despite the South African Law Reform Commission’s report of on Project 107 – Adult Prostitution that was unpacked by the Honourable Minister Michael Masutha on May 26.”
The Commission indicated that it hoped to engage the Ministry and lobby through platforms such as Asijiki to end the harassment and abuse of sex workers and to ensure that their sexual health care rights were upheld.
