BULELWA MAPHANGA writes: Dudu Khumalo (not
her real name) wants the government to decriminalise sex work. Khumalo, who has
been a sex worker for nine years, said: “We are vulnerable because of the
current law.” They suffer from
discrimination from health care providers. It also affects their ability to use
condoms to protect themselves against HIV “because police use those condoms as
evidence to arrest us”.
Research by sex workers, advocates and
activists has shown that decriminalisation will decrease the incidence of HIV
amongst sex workers.
Decriminalising sex work would also reduce the stigma they suffer from in their communities.
But, for any intervention to work, the government
must first consult health care workers themselves.
"We are involved with some of the
government's programs like the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS but it is
wrong for the government to take decisions on our behalf and not involve us," said Khumalo.
“We want to express how we feel and also
tell them about our needs. We want to put convincing and helpful ideas that
will benefit sex workers across the country."
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