Swazi Observer

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SEX WORKERS WANT SHELTERS

By Bongumusa Simelane | 2020-11-26

SEX workers have urged government to provide them with shelters for their trade, which is normally conducted during the night.

This transpired during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence in Pigg’s Peak yesterday, saying such structures will ensure their safety and not being subjected to violence.

Representing the female sex workers was Jabu Wayne who revealed that sex workers were at higher risk of being victimised while going about their business on the streets.

She urged the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Masuku to consider their trade as vital to helping their families and provide them with structures where they can conduct their business. Wayne said they were not only vulnerable to gender-based violence, but also to being robbed. She stated that they were also harassed by the police while on the streets. She said when police see them, they harass and chase them away. “Even if we go to report about being robbed to these police officers, they don’t take us serious, instead they tell us that we should go back without helping us,” she cried.

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