Regional updates: Africa

Press Release on the Safety of Sex Workers & Gay People in Kenya

The Global Network of Sex Work Projects condemns the current situation of sex worker activists in Kenya and the harassment being experienced by human rights defenders in Nairobi.

The following is a summary of the press release from colleagues in Kenya and South Africa, in relation to recent events in Nairobi.  You can also view or download the full press release below.

9th February 2012 by NSWP
The Rights of Sex Workers in Togo

Colleagues at the ‘Forum on the Rights of Sex Workers in Togo’ have called for support to help advocate to obtain the release of sex workers recently arrested near Lomé – and in engaging with the various the authorities in Togo for legislation to protect the rights of sex workers.

On Saturday January 7 2012 at around 2200hrs a team of police from Kpalimé (120km northwest of Lomé) raided hotels and hostels known for being places where street sex workers go, and arbitrarily arrested several people.

2nd February 2012 by NSWP
ASWA coordinator interviewed at ICASA

Watch this great video of NSWP member organisation ASWA's Mozambique Coordinator Laila Matsinhe being interviewed at ICASA here.

2nd January 2012 by neil
Harrassment of SA sex workers means low take-up of health care

Harassment by police and humiliation at clinics mean just 5 percent of sex workers in South Africa are getting access to health care.

Research by the Sex Worker Education Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat), says up to 60 percent of sex workers nationwide were HIV-positive.  

Micky Meji, national co-ordinator of the Africa Sex Worker Alliance, added that the infection rate was higher due to harassment by police, who often confiscated condoms from sex workers.

You can read the full story as reported in the South African Daily News here.  

18th November 2011 by neil
‘Confront legal and policy barriers to HIV’: Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Dialogue on HIV and the Law

The Regional Dialogue for sub-Saharan Africa, part of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law, was held at the beginning of August in Pretoria, South Africa.

11th August 2011 by neil
Securing the Rights and Protections of Africa’s Sex Workers

Article on the Sojourner Project website here highlighting the work of SWEAT, WONETHA and ASWA.

27th May 2011 by NSWP
SA Sex Workers election debate

A group of Cape Town based sex workers discuss the upcoming elections, politicians, and the government. 

The listen to the audio recording visit the ASWA website. 

27th May 2011 by NSWP
Sex Workers in Cape Town take legal Action over wrongful arrests

SWEAT and the Women's Legal Centre are supporting 3 sex workers in their lawsuit against the Minister of Police.  This comes after repeated arrests, without charge, and violations of their rights.

Read the full story in the news coverage in the South African Times

1st May 2011 by NSWP
Decriminalisation of Sex Work in South Africa Will Help stop HIV

On the eve of the 16 Days of Activism to end Violence Against Women, SWEAT is joining with UNAIDS to demand that South Africa decriminalizes sex workers, and that the whole sex work industry is brought out of the shadows.

A study released by UNAIDS yesterday recommended that countries who currently criminalise sex workers take action to decriminalize this vulnerable group in order to better respond to the HIV pandemic.

26th November 2010 by sweat
Hon Nsaba Buturo Again Bans a Sex Workers Workshop on Health Rights and Economic Empowerment

The day of 17th of November 2010 wittiness the State Minister for Ethics and Integrity Hon Nsaba Buturo calling off a conference organised by Akina Mama wa Afrika on advancing sex workers health rights and economic empowerment which was taking place at Serena lake at the Ranch Lweza based in Kampala, Uganda. The Minister did so by sending a strong worded letter to the Hotel General Manager giving “directives not to host a Prostitutes Conference run by Akina Mama wa Afrika and if they do so, will be abetting illegality in Uganda”.

24th November 2010 by wonetha