Sex workers demand decriminalisation
In honour of International Human Rights Day on Sunday, December 10, sex workers, members of the LGBTQ+ community and other human rights stakeholders painted Tzaneen’s CBD red on Thursday morning.
They took to the streets exercising their right to demonstrate with songs such as ‘My mother was a kitchen girl and my father was a garden boy that is why I’m a sex worker’. The group of about 50 was also displaying placards with ‘Sex work is work’, ‘Stop violence against sex workers’, and ‘We are equal’.
They took a circle route through the streets from Tzaneen Clinic back to the clinic. There they held a ceremony addressing topics such as ‘Know your human rights’ which was led by Hlokomela’s (an NGO) paralegal officer, Xichavo Rikhotso, and Road to Decriminalisation of Sex Work’s Ntshuxeko Shilubane.
Also read: Sex workers ask for decriminalisation
Organisations such as Sisonke and Hlokomela are calling for the decriminalisation of prostitution as they believe it is also a profession that contributes to the economy. Poland Mabunda from Mariveni village, a male sex worker, says he started sex work in 2017 after circumstances at home forced him to. “I love my work and I now see a change at home since I started working.
I wish to further my studies after I failed Gr 12 and I wish to turn my life around with education,” he said. The day was concluded with a dance and a nutritious meal. According to Amanda Mgimeti, Hlokomela’s advocacy officer, the event was successful as it brought the issue of decriminalisation of sex work into the spotlight.
