Parliament’s Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (MPWC) held a successful summit with stakeholders yesterday to get a better understanding of their views and concerns on the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) report on adult prostitution.

The MPWC is especially pleased that the SALRC has indicated that it will conduct further research on this sensitive and complex matter and open up the process again for public engagement before the end of 2018. Committee Chairperson Ms Masefele Story Morutoa said this is encouraging and an indication of a caring government that listens to its people.

The Committee heard from various interested parties on the matter, some in favour of decriminalisation and others opposing it vehemently, Ms Morutoa said.

Ms Morutoa said it was important for Parliament to give a voice to the public after there had been a public outcry in last year when the SALRC report was released. She said that stakeholders were particularly concerned as they felt insufficient consultation had taken place with sex workers, whom such decisions affect directly.

The MPWC decided to host the summit following a resolution adopted by the 2016 Women’s Parliament that Parliament should act to decriminalise sex work. The MPWC was tasked with taking this matter forward and the summit was an important part of engaging with stakeholders in this regard.

Ms Morutoa assured stakeholders that the MPWC will take all the submissions into account during its deliberations and in consideration of its report on the matter. It will then make recommendations to the SALRC report through the Department of Justice and Correctional Services.

We will do everything in our power to ensure appropriate legislative reform occurs. It is clear and we all agree that we have to work together towards a better future for all women, said Ms Morutoa.

Source: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa