Ahead of the anticipated GBV shutdown on Friday, the long-awaited consultation on the progress of the Decriminalisation Bill saw members of the Sisonke National Movement, SWEAT and Asijiki in conversation with government departments such as SAPS, SALGA, DSD, and the NPA among others hosted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in Tshwane today.
Deputy Minister, Andries Nel is dedicating today and tomorrow 19 November 2025 with main aim to conduct a follow-up with representatives from government departments, key stakeholders (sex work industry) on issues identified for regulatory rights and safety of all sex workers.
“We are hosting the consultation on the Decriminalisation and Regulation of the Sex Work Bill. We aim to promote and protect the human dignity of sex workers. This workshop also presents an opportunity to brief government departments on the progress made regarding the regulation of sex work and relevant policy issues,” says Deputy Minister of DOJ&CD Mr Andries Nel.
The purpose of regulating sex work is to protect the rights and safety of persons engaged in the sex work industry. The anticipated legal framework aims to:
- Promote the safety of sex workers.
- Reduce the stigma associated with the sex work industry.
- Protect human rights of all persons in the sex work industry.
- Prevent and combat human trafficking within the sex work industry.
- Promote public health among persons involved in sex work.
- Balance the interests of different stakeholders including residents, businesses and advocacy groups to ensure that the community impact of the decriminalisation of sex work is positive.
Inputs required from sex work industry include:
- What are the responsibilities of sex workers?
- Is there a need for sectoral determinations/minimum conditions of employment with related enforcement mechanisms.
Tomorrow government departments continue the conversation, gauging whether regulation and decriminalisation should be addressed in parallel.