Sonke is a steering committee member of the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work. The Coalition advocates for sex worker human rights and the urgent reform of laws on sex work in South Africa. The following fact sheets have been compiled that reflect contemporary debates on sex work and current evidence on sex […]
On 5 June 2019, the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work, its members and allies will gather at Parliament to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa for his commitment to the decriminalisation of sex work and to the safeguarding sex worker human rights during the signing of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Declaration (March 2019). […]
Download the report here. On May 22, Sonke Gender Justice in collaboration with other civil society partners hosted a roundtable discussion on positive policing. The Positive Policing Partnership (‘the PPP’) focuses on identifying advocacy opportunities to establish and support innovative civil society, policing and government collaborations to catalyse positive change in the operational policing experience […]
On the 20 March 2018, in celebration of Human Rights Day, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Sonke Gender Justice and Sex Worker Education & Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) launched a research report titled “The Policing of Sex Work in South Africa: A research report on the human rights challenges across two South African Provinces”. The […]
Sonke joined the Central Methodist Mission, Cape Town on March 1, 2018, in unveiling the latest addition to its Yellow Banner Theology programme. This Church is one of the first religious institutions in South Africa to publicly support the decriminalisation of sex work. Minister Alan Storey delivered a strong message that Jesus Christ was the […]
In this show, we ask: Why are men and boys important for campaigns such as 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children? We hear how the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe sets aside a ruling by the High Court denying sex workers the right to march to express their concerns. And, we […]
Up to 20% of all new HIV infections in South Africa in 2010 were related to sex work, according to a modelling study by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and Aids (UNAids) published in that year. The research was cited in a South African National Aids Council report. Although the HIV infection rate […]
Making sex work safer can lead to less HIV infections and gender-based violence, studies have shown.
“Not any of the protective psychological barriers that I usually put up to help me believe ‘It won’t happen to me’ worked this time around.”
I am writing to you now that my fingers can type again after feeling numb with disbelief at the South African Law Reform Commission’s recommendations released just before the weekend.
The recommendation for on-going criminalisation of sex work is not based on evidence and does not respect sex workers’ human rights.
Zoe Black, a Zimbabwean sex worker and activist living in Cape Town, shares her troubling experiences as a victim of crime.
PEPFAR recipients document how the pledge limits sex workers’ access to health care and increases their vulnerability.
An update on the important work that Sonke’s advocacy team is undertaking.
The Asijiki Coalition recognises the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s outspoken public advocacy for sex workers’ rights.
Sonke’s workshop explores how the ‘Anti-Prostitution Pledge’ impacts sex work health programmes.
Cathi Albertyn writes in Newsweek on possible reformations to be made to the Sexual Offences Act.
Information secured by GroundUp indicates that the new plan is unlikely to include provisions to decriminalise the trade.
A call for reforms to laws on sex work, justice for victims of abuse, and an end to stigma.
An opinion piece from the Mail & Guardian, written by policy development and advocacy specialist Marlise Richter.
Join us for this thought-provoking discussion covering a wide spectrum of topics relating to sex and sexuality.
Sonke’s policy development and advocacy specialist, Marlise Richter, was interviewed on Talk Radio 702 in August 2015, about Sonke’s support for Amnesty International’s call for the decriminalisation of sex work, internationally.
Civil society groups highlight the health and safety benefits of decriminalising sex work among consenting adults.
Sonke and Civil Society Organisations demand justice for Nokupila Kumalo, whose case has been postponed six times in two years.