Overview
Sisonke, a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 by a group of 70 women, some in the sex work trade in response to the abuse, isolation, and human rights violations faced by this marginalized community. With offices in six provinces and plans to expand nationwide, Sisonke strives to empower sex workers and advocate for their rights across South Africa. The organization envisions a future where sex work is acknowledged as legitimate work, ensuring the health and human rights of sex workers.
With 33 employees and a growing members base, Sisonke works towards uniting sex workers, improving their living and working conditions, and fighting for equal access to basic human rights. Sisonke’s mission is to challenge the criminalization of sex work, seeking the repeal of punitive laws that criminalizes sex work, sex workers and the clients of sex workers. Sisonke emphasizes the importance of respecting the rights of sex workers, recognizing sex work as a valid form of income, and demanding the freedom to make a living without discrimination.
In pursuit of justice and equality, Sisonke stands as a collective voice, advocating for the recognition, respect, and fair treatment of sex workers throughout South Africa.
| Date of launch | 2003 |
| Organization location | South Africa |
| Team size | 10 – 50 |
| Fundraising status | Looking for funding: Donate now |
What we do to make change
At Sisonke, we empower sex workers through member training, sensitization programs, creative spaces, outreach efforts, media engagement, and policy advocacy. Our focus is on building sex worker unity, advocating for our rights, and providing social assistance to our members through our networks. We envision a South Africa where sex work is recognized as legitimate work, ensuring the health and human rights of sex workers. Our mission is to unite sex workers, improve living and working conditions, and fight for equal access to basic human rights. We demand the repeal of punitive laws, respect for our rights, recognition of sex work as a legitimate source of income, and the freedom to make a living like any other individual in South Africa.
Build a movement
Creating a common cause to empower sex workers, and promote access to, safety, health, and decriminalization of sex work.
Shape policy
Uniting as a collective to challenge the criminalization of sex work and have the criminalization of sex work repealed.
Boots on the ground
Reduce stigma and improve information, support sex workers with services such as access to health care, the police, and the court system.
Equal rights, human rights
Full decriminalization will increase sex worker access to justice and ability to refer to police in cases of violence, access to safe work locations, economic security and social protection, and the ability to practice safer sex and to access health services.
Key statistics
The following are key statistics on human rights abuses perpetrated against sex workers captured in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe between December 2021 and November 2022. These statistics are from the Equal Rights, Human Rights Report by Aidsfonds in partnership with Sisonke.
2009
Number of human rights violations against sex workers captured in the fact sheet.
25%
Percentage sex worker human rights violations classified as physical violence.
18%
Percentage of sex worker human rights violations classified as stigma and discrimination.
25%
Percentage of sex workers who received legal support from a lawyer or a paralegal.
32%
Percentage reduction in the risk of new HIV infection among sex workers via community empowerment.
607
Sex workers who accessed psychosocial support after reporting human rights violations.
Campaigns and petitions
Join our calls to action and sign our petitions to advocate for policies that protect the rights, safety, and dignity of sex workers.
Petition for the decriminalisation of sex work
Sisonke National Sex Worker Movement and Aids Foundation South Africa (AFSA) (2025)
This petition, created in partnership with the Aids Foundation South Africa, outlines the critical reasons why decriminalising sex work is essential for a just and equitable society. It advocates for the human rights, safety, and personal autonomy of sex workers and calls on lawmakers and communities to support policies that prioritize health, reduce stigma, and end exploitation by treating sex work as work.
Sisonke media statements
Read our official media statements and responses to key developments and critical issues impacting the sex work community in South Africa.
Statement on the arrest of an Eastern Cape educator
Sisonke National Sex Worker Movement (17 October 2025)
In response to the public outcry following the arrest of an Eastern Cape educator on allegations of human trafficking, Sisonke National Movement issued this statement demanding justice for the victims. The statement reiterates that the continued criminalization of sex work drives the trade underground, enabling exploitation and violence. Sisonke calls on the Department of Justice to prioritize the decriminalization of sex work to protect vulnerable people and ensure the law can distinguish between consensual adult sex work and heinous crimes.
Advocacy and policy submissions
Read our official media statements and responses to key developments and critical issues impacting the sex work community in South Africa.
Memorandum on the consultation process for the Criminal Law Amendment Bill
Sisonke National Sex Worker Movement (2025)
Sisonke submitted this memorandum to the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development on 9 October 2025 to express concern over the lack of formal engagement and feedback on the decriminalisation of sex work. It calls on the Department to provide a clear timeline for the revised Bill, share outcomes from the consultation process, and ensure the legislative reform is grounded in labour rights, workplace protections, and social justice.
Statement on the decriminalisation of sex Work in South Africa by Deputy Minister Andries Nel
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (2024)
This statement was delivered by Deputy Minister Andries Nel at the Sisonke National Sex Work Conference on 4 December 2024. It outlines the government’s progress on the legal framework for decriminalising sex work, acknowledging constitutional challenges with the initial 2023 Bill and detailing the key areas identified for regulation in the revised draft. The statement reaffirms the Department’s commitment to a human rights-based approach in partnership with civil society.
Movement stories
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Twenty Years of Waiting: The Cost of Political Inaction on Sex Work Decriminalisation
Read more: Twenty Years of Waiting: The Cost of Political Inaction on Sex Work DecriminalisationThirty years into democracy. Six administrations later. Sex work in South Africa remains criminalised. An unprotected trade. Excluded from the…
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Human Rights for Sex Workers
Read more: Human Rights for Sex WorkersHuman rights are universal and inalienable, yet sex workers in South Africa often find themselves excluded from these protections. The criminalization of sex work not…
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Two decades of empowering sex workers
Read more: Two decades of empowering sex workersTwenty years ago, 70 women formed the Sisonke National Sex Workers’ Movement to combat stigma and discrimination. Inspired by Shane Peltzer, they push for decriminalizing…
Logo and images
This selection of visual assets can help you tell the story of our organization. We include logos, anonymous pics of our authors, and some workshop process images.
Uniting for change: Sex workers standing together to demand decriminalization and human rights.
Empowering sex workers: Advocating for dignity, equality, and access to healthcare.
Supportive communities: Creating safe spaces for sex workers to share experiences and seek assistance.
Standing for justice: Sisonke members take to the streets to demand rights and recognition for sex workers.
Marching for dignity: Advocates take to the streets, calling for safety, equality, and respect for all workers.
Voices for change: Sisonke members unite to push for the decriminalisation of sex work.
Equality for all: Voices rise in the streets, calling for inclusion and justice for sex workers everywhere.
Shaping fair policy: A Sisonke leader addresses the crowd, advocating for laws that protect and empower sex workers.
Decriminalise sex work: Marchers move together in solidarity, demanding rights, safety, and recognition for all.
Sisonke leadership
Our leadership team in our advocacy for the rights of sex workers and the decriminalization of sex work.
Media contact
Reach out to our media contact if you are writing an article and would like more information about us.
| Press contact | Yonela Sinqu |
| +27 (0)66 066 6441 | |
| Website | www.sisonke.org.za |
| www.linkedin.com/company/sisonke-national-movement | |
| www.facebook.com/Sisonke-144299332431443/ | |
| www.instagram.com/sisonkesa/ | |
| X | www.x.com/sisonke_za |