Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Zimbabwe Sex Workers Alliance (ZIMSWA) has amplified its call for decriminalisation of sex work, arguing that current laws expose its members to abuse, hinder public health efforts and perpetuate violence.
The push follows a recent meeting where sex workers presented their demands to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health in Bulawayo.
They called for an end to derogatory labels associated with their profession, requesting respectful terminology.
In a statement, ZIMSWA national co-ordinator Queen Ncube said the existing legal framework fostered discrimination and corruption against sex workers.
She positioned decriminalisation as essential for ensuring their safety and dignity.
“Decriminalisation is not only a matter of justice and equality but a critical step towards achieving Zimbabwe’s health goals, including ending HIV and Aids by 2030,” Ncube stated.
She emphasised that the alliance is supporting a national decriminalisation strategy developed through consultation with sex workers across all provinces.
“This strategy reflects the voices, lived experiences and demands of sex workers across Zimbabwe.
“We want to ensure that our voices guide the national conversation and shape the policy direction.”
ZIMSWA argued that criminalisation perpetuates cycles of violence and exclusion, while decriminalisation grants its constituents better access to healthcare and legal protection.
The alliance has pledged to continue advocating with Parliament, civil society and partners to ensure sex workers’ perspectives inform policy.
Prostitution is illegal in many African countries, some of which include Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, where sex work and its related activities are banned.
Countries where prostitution is not illegal but related activities are illegal include Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
Senegal is the only African country in which prostitution is both legal and regulated.
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