Sex work decriminalize
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Sex workers may soon be able to work without the fear of being arrested as the government is seeking ways to reduce gender-based violence in the industry.

This came days after the cabinet announced its plans to publish a bill for public comment that would decriminalize prostitution. If passed into law, the bill would repeal Section 11 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offenses and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007, thus, decriminalizing "the sale and purchase of adult sexual services," EWN reported.

Sex workers across the country voiced their approval of the recent decision to decriminalize prostitution.

"We have been advocating for decriminalization for over two decades and the issue doesn't only affect sex workers, but society as a whole," Constance Mathe, a sex worker and national coordinator of the Asijiki Coalition, told GroundUp.

"I am very happy because as a sex worker, I was living in fear for my life. I am a target to the police, I am a target to society. I am rejected by my family and discriminated against by everyone. But now if my work is being recognized by the government, I can gain constitutional rights," she added.

Another sex worker, Joanna, 38, who has been working in prostitution for 17 years and is a member of the sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), told the outlet that the bill is very important to her and her colleagues. "We have criminal records against our names. Even if I think of quitting, my criminal record can't be erased. As sex workers, the bill will allow us to gain our freedom."

President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to sex workers in 2016 that he would look into legislation to ensure they receive social justice. In this view, the proposed Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill will also respond to several proposals from the national strategic plan on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). If passed into law, it will protect sex workers against abuse and exploitation, among other things.

It is important to note that proposed law would not decriminalize sexual activity involving children, adding that anyone engaging in such activities would be prosecuted.