"Prostitution is the exploitation of human beings by the dominant system of purchasing power." - Thomas Sankara, 1986
South Africa is on its way to fully decriminalizing prostitution. Yes, this means that prostituted persons will no longer be criminalized - a good thing. BUT it also means that it will be legal to pimp, run a brothel and buy sex.
DO WE REALLY WANT SOUTH AFRICA TO BECOME THE BROTHEL OF AFRICA THE WAY GERMANY IS NOW THE 'BORDELLO' OF EUROPE?
Is this the direction in which we want to push our people - especially our youth - who are struggling to find work, survive and/or provide for their families?
Instead of protecting them, is this our answer for the vulnerable and marginalized (because global research confirms they make up the highest percentage of prostituted persons)?
We could list a hundred reasons as to how harmful a practice prostitution is: from the trauma, to the health hazards, to the strong link with drug abuse and addiction, to the violence experienced within the system (which, by the way, will not change through Full Decriminalization or the next step of Legalization).
You simply need to look at countries like Germany and Spain, and more recently Malawi, to see how Full Decriminalization hasn't made the system any better or safer for those being prostituted. New research (Nov 2022) also shows how legalizing prostitution in Germany has failed, and brings forth some shocking insight from sex buyers themselves - the ones who are driving the demand for this "service".
BUT DID YOU KNOW that one needn't simply decide between "Full Decriminalization" or the current status of "Criminalization". There is a third option, that of "Partial Decriminalization". Survivors are calling for this model, and there is much research and many resources where you can learn more about Partial Decriminalization and why it might be the better option: decriminalizing the prostituted persons (allowing for no arrest and also providing exit programs to assist those wanting to leave prostitution) but keeping pimps, brothel owners and sex buyers criminalized.
But for some reason Partial Decriminalization isn't being highlighted or offered as a viable option - despite being the second recommendation of the SA Law Reform Commission, after their first recommendation of keeping things fully Criminalized! They also made a clear recommendation AGAINST Full Decriminalization as a viable option for South Africa... SO HOW IS THIS NOW EVEN ON THE TABLE?!
Friends, we have until 31 January 2023 to submit our comments. PLEASE take the time to add your voice to this critical decision for South Africa and all her people. Because this move is going to affect every level of society.
"For every woman and girl violently attacked, we reduce our humanity. For every woman forced into unprotected sex because men demand this, we destroy dignity and pride. Every woman who has to sell her life for sex we condemn to a lifetime in prison. For every moment we remain silent, we conspire against our women." - Nelson Mandela
Photo by Kristel Hayes on Unsplash