Prostitution
latest news & developments
Sex work in South Africa: A history of ineffective laws
Sex workers were seen as a source of disease, then as enabling interracial relations. Sex work is still illegal in democratic South Africa
Defending a prostituted person’s dignity starts with saying ‘no’ to full decriminalisation
Re-opening of South Africa’s prostitution law reform debate makes the mistake of assuming it is work and not exploitation.
Ten reasons why South Africa must decriminalise sex work
Aside from the economic benefits, urgent decriminalisation is needed to ensure constitutional rights of the country’s estimated 153 000 sex workers
Are sex workers forced into their jobs?
Sex workers in South Africa want their profession decriminalised, a view supported by many medical professionals and civil society organisations.
Sex workers: ‘We want to own our own brothels’
Sex workers in the country want their profession to be decriminalised so that they can access health services without being discriminated against.
UK sex workers’ rights case collapses after five years
After having their brothel raided in 2011, three women planned to argue for the right of sex workers to work together in safety.
Letters to the editor: December 6 2013
Readers slam assaults on sex workers and accuse the Mail & Guardian of putting public protector Thuli Madonsela in danger.
A powerful weapon in the fight against modern slavery
The Global Slavery Index will help shape national and global efforts to root out modern slavery in Africa and across the world, writes Nick Grono.
Japan: Mayor sparks outrage for justifying WW2 ‘comfort women’
China has expressed outrage over remarks by the mayor of Osaka who said Japan’s system of military brothels during World War II was "necessary".
Brazil’s prostitutes learn English ahead of World Cup
As Brazil prepares for the 2014 World Cup and Confederation Cup in June, its Association of Prostitutes has been teaching sex workers English.
Scourge of violence against transgender sex workers in Cote d’Ivoire
Transgender sex workers in the Cote d’Ivoire have increasingly become the target of violence since President Alassane Ouattara came into power.
Prostitution a Fokkens nightmare
Life has not been kind to the ‘oldest window girls in Amsterdam’, but the 70-year-old twins are enjoying their celebrity status.
Prostitution scandal dogs Obama trip
President Barack Obama says he will be "angry" if claims that his security staff hired prostitutes at a key political summit in Colombia prove true.
Maldives denies luxury spas are fronting prostitution
Tourism officials in the Maldives have denied that health spas at luxury holiday resorts operate as brothels after the facilities were shut down.
Desperate British women turn to prostitution
British students, faced with government austerity measures, are turning to prostitution, gambling and other dangerous pursuits to fund their studies.