MEC for Social Development Ms. Faith Mazibuko will host a Round Table Discussion on Commercial Sex Work and the Trafficking of Persons linked directly to women trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty.
The planned dialogue will aim to establish and determine the different roles various stakeholders and GPG Departments play in terms of short, medium and long term intervention. This is viewed as a tool to heighten and re-affirm Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, protection, support and recognition of their human rights.
It is in direct response to the MEC’s findings during her oversight visits to hostels in the Gauteng Province as well as visits to sex workers trading on the streets of Johannesburg. Poverty and lack of access to financial resources is often a key motivator that drives women into the sex work industry - seen as the only viable option to generate income and meet their basic needs as well as those dependent on them.
This is further compounded by urbanization, lack of skills, high illiteracy rates, unemployment and low or poor self - esteem. It is apparent that the concerns of this sector cannot be addressed by a single Department on its own - and in order to yield results, a number of stakeholders must be consulted regarding an integrated intervention.
A major concern is the evident lack of sufficient Governmental initiatives and opportunities available to women who enter the sex industry as a way of income and survival.
The details of the event are as follows:
Date: Friday, 28 August 2015
Time: 09h00
Venue: Constitutional Hill
Enquiries:
Thebe Mohatle
Cell: 071 604 6096 or 082 373 1146
