Overview
Sisonke National Movement is a member-led, non-profit organisation founded by sex workers
and human rights defenders committed to advancing the rights, dignity and wellbeing of sex
workers in South Africa. Established in 2003, the movement was born out of the collective
determination of sex workers to challenge violence, discrimination, exclusion and persistent
human rights violations.
Today, Sisonke works alongside sex workers across the country to promote access to justice,
health services, safety and social protection, while advocating for the decriminalisation of
consensual adult sex work and the full recognition of sex workers’ human rights. Through
community organising, leadership development and policy advocacy, Sisonke amplifies the
voices of sex workers and champions a South Africa where every person is treated with dignity,
equality and respect.
| Date of launch | 2003 |
| Organization location | South Africa |
| 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Uniting as a collective to challenge the criminalization of sex work and have the criminalization of sex work repealed.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.
153 000
Sex workers in South Africa operating in a criminalised setting – all stripped of their right to earn a living safely every day.
5 500
Number of women killed due to GBV annually in South Africa – a rate five times higher than the global average.
87 214
Estimated number of transgender women who are routinely denied recognition of their womanhood.
36.6%
The unemployment rate faced by women in South Africa.
21.8mm
The approximate number of women who live below South Africa’s Upper-Bound Poverty Line.
2.1mm
Women who remain outside the formal labour market because of unpaid care responsibilities, including childcare and household work.
40%
Lower-band percentage estimate of South African households that women head, many of whom shoulder significant economic and caregiving responsibilities with limited support.
Stats from SANAC, SABC and Beyond Zero.
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.
Civil Society Coalition Declares August “The Month of Ignored Women”
Sisonke National Movement & Margins (20 July 2026)
A coalition led by Margins and Sisonke has declared August 2026 “The Month of Ignored Women,” launching a campaign that challenges South Africa to move beyond symbolic celebrations and commit to meaningful reforms for women living on the margins. The campaign draws attention to sex workers, domestic workers, informal traders, and survivors of gender-based violence. It officially launches on 10 August 2026 in Johannesburg.
Sisonke National Movement to Close Offices in Support of the Women’s Shutdown
Sisonke National Sex Worker Movement (19 November 2025)
The Sisonke National Sex Worker Movement closed all offices nationwide on 21 November in support of the Women’s Shutdown led by Women for Change. This action highlighted the essential role women play in South Africa’s social and economic fabric and underscored the need to protect their safety, dignity, and full participation in society. By pausing operations for a day, the Movement aimed to draw attention to the value of women’s contributions and to encourage broader support for advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
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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The Essential Role of Health and Wellbeing in Life
Read more: The Essential Role of Health and Wellbeing in LifeAt Sisonke we help our members build health and wellbeing. Health and wellbeing are vital for a fulfilling and productive life, encompassing physical, mental, and…
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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…
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 |