Abolition is the Answer

Legalized prostitution is a human rights violation

In South Africa, parliament is currently considering a bill that could result in total decriminalization of the sex trade. It would be the first African country to propose the removal of all criminal penalties relating to prostitution.

That means pimping, brothel-owning, and sex work itself would all be legalized. While on its face, this law seems to support women and girls—prostituted women would no longer be arrested, and wouldn’t face criminal charges. The vast majority of feminists have been arguing for that for years. But it’s telling that nosurvivor-led organizations were consulted during the draft of the bill, which has already been approved at the first stage.

The bill would also repeal prohibitions against “any conspiracy to induce a female to engage in sexual acts, and kidnapping for purposes of sexual acts against a person’s will, including if such female is under the age of 16” and “the ability to punish any parent or guardian who procures or attempts to procure a child to engage in prostitution” (ie., child sex trafficking).