Sisonke

Contact email
sisonke-info@sweat.org.za

Contact: Kholi Buthelezi

Tel +27 21 448-7875 or +27732479623

Sisonke is a movement of sex workers, by sex workers. It has offices in 4 provinces, based in partnership organisations, and its primary focus is on mobilising sex workers to speak out on issues of importance to them.

Who do you work with?

Sisonke works with female, male and transgender sex workers in full favour of decriminalisation of sex work, capacitating sex workers free legal and paralegal advice, counselling referrals, outreach consisting of health and legal services and distribution of condoms, safe sex and human rights library materials.

How are sex workers involved in your organisation?

Court support, creative space, campaigns,attending Sisonke public events

Which of NSWP priority areas does your organisation work on?
Oppose the criminalisation and other legal oppression of sex work and support its recognition as work
Critique the trafficking paradigm that conflates representations of sex work, migration, and mobility
Advocate for universal access to health services, including primary health care, HIV and sexual and reproductive health services
Speak out about violence against sex workers, including violence from police, institutions, clients, and intimate partners, while challenging the myth that sex work is inherently gender-based violence
Oppose human rights abuses, including coercive programming, mandatory testing, raids and forced rehabilitation
Challenge stigma and discrimination against sex workers, their families and partners, and others involved in sex work
Advocate for the economic empowerment and social inclusion of sex workers as sex workers
What are the two main challenges that the sex workers you work with face

1. Harassment by law enforcement agencies i.e. South African Police Service
2. Stigma and discrimination - society, law enforcement agencies

Describe other areas of your work

- Human rights defence
- Leadership and capacity building
- Advocacy for decriminalisation
- Institution building through development and strengthening of provincial offices and national office

Region
Africa
Country
Afrique du Sud