Sex workers plead with new gov’t on grievances

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday April 22, 2025 14:51

A recent meeting organised by local rights NGO, Success Capital Organisation, experts and sex workers gathered to unpack the nuances of stigma and understand the social, health and legal implications of the experiences of sex work.

The Global Director of Nothing Without Us Society (NWUS), Beauty Bayley, also a sex worker, illuminated various issues like the current injustices and inequities that need to be addressed to protect the human rights of sex workers in Botswana.

NWUS is a non-governmental organisation, which represents various interests of key populations and vulnerable groups. Frequently, the organisation deals with groups such as sex workers and adolescents who are at risk of contracting HIV.

Speaking of the stigma sex workers face on day-to-day basis, Bayley said there were stereotypes associated with their profession because it was not like other “normal” jobs. She further pointed out that sex work is the oldest profession in the world, saying it had been there forever.

“Even in the past you would see your uncle providing things for a certain young woman in exchange of money. “They would have an understanding that I provide you with sexual services and then you give me either money or any form of payment because it does not always have to be money. “But the bottom line is it that it is transactional and also there is consent. “When there is no consent, then it becomes a different story,” Bayley explained.

She explained that consent was critical, which is why it can only be said to be granted by certain ages. She noted that the organisation was aware that there were children as young as 14 years of age who were involved in sex work, something which is criminal.

“There was certain man who kept young girls somewhere in Botswana and was having sexual relations with them whilst also selling them to different men. “That man infected those young girls with HIV but none of them were willing to report him. “Our attempts to report the perpetrator were futile as the law enforcement demanded evidence while the girls refused to report him threatening to side with him,” Bayley recounted.

She further revealed that attempts to reach out to the girls’ families were equally fruitless as the victims disrespected their families, especially since most of them where from single mother families. Bayley added that with support from the government and relevant stakeholders, the girls would be safe because the law would protect them.

She added that the NGO is currently conducting a project in Bobonong aimed at removing human rights barriers among key populations. NWUS is also empowering young sex workers to be in spaces where they could make decisions, voice out their challenges and say what they need to be, to better human beings for themselves.

“Here in NWUS we want to see equity for everyone because you are a human being first before you are what you do,” Bayley told the meeting. “Yes, equality is good and equality is for everyone. It does not matter your circumstances. “But equity says I will meet you where you are. Meeting the key population where they are. “In matters of stigma, the nation is important to us because we understand that it is a barrier to health and social services. I “It can also lead to violence and human rights.”

For her part, Diva from Zambia who is also a human rights activist, said her country being predominantly Christian means there is a lot of stigma especially towards the LGBTQI communities and other minority key populations. She added that the stigma was from families, friends and the community.

“Most transgender people in Zambia do not have formal employment because they identify as transgender. “Most of them have been chased out of their homes and therefore most of them end up doing sex work. “The discrimination is very bad for the trans community and key populations. “We have safe places for trans people in Zambia but that is not the case with sex workers. “They are not taken serious there,” she said.

Diva further stated that gender-based violence toward these key populations is prevalent in Zambia adding that even if they report being beaten to the police, in most cases they are likely to end up behind bars because of issues of sodomy and misrepresentation.

She further explained that this hinders affected people from reporting assaults done by clients. Diva called for solidarity saying she believes they could come together with different stakeholders under one roof and put laws and guidelines that could protect key populations and the LGBTQI communities.