“We hope that decriminalization will reduce the abuses experienced by female sex workers,” said the Minister of Justice
Decriminalize prostitution in the hope of combating violence against women, which continues to worsen: this is the plan presented by the South African government today.
The offering and use of sexual services will no longer be treated as an offense under this bill tabled by the Minister of Justice. According to trade unions, the country has around 150,000 extradited women.
“We hope that decriminalization will reduce the violations experienced by female sex workers”, Ronald Lamola said during a press conference. “This will allow better access to care,” “less discrimination and stigma.”
South Africa, one of the countries most affected by AIDS in the world, faces increasing violence against women.
According to police data, rapes and sexual assaults increased by 13% between 2017-2018 and 2021-2022. A rape is reported every twelve minutes, not counting those who were never reported. Feminicides increased by 52% in the first quarter compared to last year.
If extradited women “are no longer labeled as criminals, they will be able to talk to the police about violence much better,” prostitutes’ rights group SWEAT responded, hailing the bill as “fantastic news”.
“It’s been more than two decades since we called for the decriminalization of sex work in South Africa and for a long time we were ignored,” Yonela Sinku, a spokeswoman for the national Sisonke women’s movement, told AFP, welcoming the outcome of the ” crazy stubborn” activists.
South Africa has been rocked by a series of horrific crimes recently, including the gang-rape of eight women in July and the discovery of around six women’s bodies in a building in downtown Johannesburg in October.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently said that gender-based violence should be considered the main “pandemic” affecting the country.
The draft law, which has been put out for public consultation, must be approved by Parliament, a process that will take months.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
