Good plan to tackle sex-work HIV, but law gets in the way

14 March 2016 - 02:14 By The Times Editorial

When the government launched a plan to reduce HIV in sex workers last week, one important word was missing from the official speeches: decriminalisation.The Department of Health plan aims to have 90% of HIV-positive sex workers on antiretroviral drugs and at least 3000 who are not infected given a daily preventative pill.This is progressive thinking, but in the very literature outlining the initiative the government admits its targets cannot be met while sex workers face criminal sanction. It refers to research showing that up to 45% of infections in sex workers could be averted if there was no police harassment and the profession was decriminalised.Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, while admitting prostitution was a "trade", to loud applause, would not commit himself to reform. He said, cryptically, laws had to be "made in the interests of the individual and society".A final draft of the plan's executive summary called for decriminalisation, but these words were removed from the final printed version.Up to 20% of new HIV infections are linked to prostitution, so it makes sense to tackle the issue at that level. To do this, the 70% of Joburg sex workers who are HIV-positive must be on daily ARV treatment and, thus, not infectious.Instead, they are at the mercy of overly officious policemen, many of whom extort bribes or keep them behind bars for days. This scenario isn't at all conducive to the orderly dispensing of medication.Government officials admit that police officers routinely confiscate sex workers' condoms - as evidence in prosecutions or simply to intimidate.Until the police lose their licence to arrest, prostitutes cannot be properly assisted. Decriminalisation has been discussed by the SA Law Reform Commission for 15 years. Its report has been with the Department of Justice for months, keeping it from public release.It is in the interests of all South Africans to let sex workers ply their ancient trade in a dignified and healthier way...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.