Sisonke manuals
Learn how we are building our sex worker movement from the ground up.
Rights based self development programme manual: Training handbook
Sisonke (2018)
This handbook serves as a handbook for training for Sisonke members on the different aspects of movement building. The purpose of this programme is meant to capacitate Sisonke members on activism, consciousness, the meaning of power, outreach and mobilization. The programme is structured in such a way that members become more aware of their roles and responsibilities in terms of becoming leaders and experts on advocating for sex worker’s human rights.
Members handbook
Sisonke (2018)
This book is for us as Sisonke. It has information to help us work together as sex workers, to fight for our rights and stay safe and healthy. We can share this information with other sex workers.
Sex work and GBV: A basic guide
Sisonke (2018)
Understanding and addressing the rights and safety of sex workers is crucial for promoting justice and equality for all individuals involved in the sex industry. This short guide explains criminalization, decriminalization, gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking.
Information pamphlets
Read our pamphlets for clear, accessible information on health and workplace rights.
Newsletters
We have a quarterly newsletter called Izwi Lethu written by Sisonke staff and members and distributed at our Creative Space meetings, partner organizations and available at our branches and online.
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.
Days we honour and celebrate
Join us in acknowledging important dates and in celebrating the achievements of the sex worker community.
Reports, research papers and conferences
Insightful reports, research papers and conference proceedings on sex work.
The impact of community empowerment
Aidsfonds (2019)
In 2018, research commissioned by Aidsfonds was conducted in Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and South Africa on community empowerment, meaningful involvement of sex worker communities and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services (including HIV)123. The studies were executed by three academic partners in equitable partnership with sex worker communities, utilizing community based participatory research (CBPR) methods and were finalized in 2019.
Report on the 1st African Sex Worker Conference: Building Solidarity and Strengthening Alliances
Naidoo N.P. (2009)
African sex workers and organizations working with sex workers in Africa joined forces to call for the decriminalization of sex work, respect for sex workers rights and an end to impunity for perpetrators of violence against sex workers. This call was made by more than 200 delegates who attended the first African sex workers 2009 Conference in February. The conference held in Johannesburg sort to create an Alliance that advocates for sex workers’ rights.