‘Sex workers have right to dignity’

A coherent approach to the problems sex worker face needs to be developed, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the launch of national sex worker HIV plan in Newtown.

Johannesburg – Sex workers have rights and a coherent approach to their problems needs to be developed, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday.

Speaking at the launch of the South African national sex worker HIV plan in Newtown, Johannesburg, Ramaphosa said efforts to prevent new HIV infections would not succeed if sex workers were disempowered, marginalised, and stigmatised.

“In launching the plan, we call on all sex workers to recognise the enormous power they have to help our nation in making Aids a thing of the past.

“We cannot reclaim the morality of society by excluding the most vulnerable among us. Whatever views individuals may hold about sex work, whatever the statutes may say about the legality of sex work, we cannot deny the humanity and inalienable rights of people who engage in sex work. Like any one else, they have dreams, customs, beliefs, and faith. They have the right to be treated with dignity, the right to their bodily integrity, and the right to say no.”

Since becoming chairman of the SA National Aids Council (Sanac) about two years ago, one of the issues brought to his attention had struck him as particularly perplexing, Ramaphosa said.

“It is a matter of concern that while the department of health supplies sex workers with condoms to protect them from HIV, pregnancy and STIs [sexually transmitted diseases], it is not uncommon for the police to confiscate these condoms.

“We have one organ of the state providing a very necessary service and another organ of the state taking that very service away. This is not necessarily the fault of the police. We need to respond to the legal, social, health, and welfare dimensions of sex work in a comprehensive and consistent manner,” he said.

The national sex worker HIV plan was a step in that direction. With HIV prevalence rates three to four times higher among female sex workers than in women in the general population of their age group, “we must realise that we are faced with a serious challenge that we cannot ignore”.

This was why Sanac had prioritised the prevention and treatment of HIV among sex workers. The plan was informed by certain fundamental principles.

“It is informed by the principle that women and men involved in sex work must not be denied health services, information, or advice… that sex workers should not have to suffer and die from diseases that are preventable, that are treatable, and that affect us all… that sex workers can no longer be denied their constitutional rights, be beaten up with no recourse to justice, or that they can be subjected to unlawful arrest.

“This plan aims to sensitise health care providers, social workers, and law enforcement officials on the right of sex workers to quality care, confidentiality, and consent.

“Consistent with our commitment to ensure all South Africans have access to legal representation, Sanac has partnered with Legal Aid South Africa to provide legal and paralegal support through a call centre service to sex workers who are arrested.

“Let us today pledge to end discrimination against the vulnerable and protect those in sex work. Let us pledge to end all forms of violence and discrimination against girls and women. Let us pledge to develop sound policies and pass progressive laws that promote the human rights of all,” Ramaphosa said

African News Agency

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