Sex workers in South Africa face daily violence, police harassment, and social exclusion, much of which is worsened by criminalisation. True reform cannot happen if the people most impacted are treated as an afterthought[3]. The Constitution guarantees everyone’s right to equality, dignity, and participation in decisions that affect their lives. Excluding sex workers violates these principles and undermines South Africa’s human rights commitments[4].Decriminalisation must be built with sex workers, not for them. Their voices, expertise, and lived experience are essential for creating laws that protect rather than punish[5]. Sign this petition to demand that the Department of Justice and Parliament immediately act: include sex workers and sex worker-led organisations in the review process, publish the SEIA, communicate a clear timelines, and ensure that the Bill is developed with those most affected, not for them. Because nothing about us, without us! Everyone deserves a seat at the table! References 1. Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work, n.d. Sex Work and Human Rights Fact Sheet. Available at: https://asijiki.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Sex-work-and-human-rights_Asijiki-Fact-Sheet_Web.pdf [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 2. AVAC, 2023. Decriminalisation of Sex Work Prevents HIV — South Africa Could Overturn Its Outdated Laws. Available at: https://avac.org/blog/decriminalization-of-sex-work-prevents-hiv-south-africa-could-overturn-its-outdated-laws/ [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 3. Human Rights Research Centre, 2025. The Case to End the Criminalisation of Sex Work in South Africa. Available at: https://www.humanrightsresearch.org/post/the-case-to-end-the-criminalisation-of-sex-work-in-south-africa [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 4. Human Rights Watch, 2019a. Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalised in South Africa. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/southafrica0819_web_0.pdf [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 5. Human Rights Watch, 2019b. Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalised [online]. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/07/why-sex-work-should-be-decriminalized [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 6. Institute of Race Relations, 2022. Submission on the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Bill. Available at: https://irr.org.za/reports/submissions-on-proposed-legislation/irr-submission-on-sexual-offences-amendment-bill-2022.pdf [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 7. SECTION27 & Treatment Action Campaign, 2023. Joint Submission on Sex Work. Available at: https://section27.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Joint-Submission-by-SECTION27-and-the-Treatment-Action-Campaign-31012023-1.pdf [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025]. 8. De Rebus, 2023. The De-criminalising of Sex Work in South Africa: A Brief Trajectory. Available at: https://www.derebus.org.za/the-decriminalising-of-sex-work-in-south-africa-a-brief-trajectory-overview-of-the-criminal-law-sexual-offences-and-related-matters-amendment-bill-of-2022/ [Accessed 4 Nov. 2025].