Avenue opinion: Rights of sex workers

 Rights Of Sex Workers!

Sex work or rather, prostitution dates back to as early as 2400 BC, making it one of the earliest occupation or paying job in history. Yes! prostitution has been around for that long, around 5000 years and is known as the earkiest occupation known to mankind. Being one of the earliest form of work, one gets to wonder why it is still frowned apon...

Believe it or not, the earliest brothels were owned by priests, Sumerian priests to be exact. these brothels were called a temple-brothel. Prostitutes or workers who worked in in these temples were ranked in three different classes. The first class of workers were only allowed to perform sexual acts in the temple, the second class of workers had access to the grounds and catered for guests as well. the third or low class of workers were free to find customers on the streets as they pleased. 

Since then, the adult entertainment sector has largely changed and there has been conflict on whether or not prostitution should be legalized. In most cases, when people argue that prostitution should be illegal, it is usually from a moral perspective and the safety of women. they also believe that it will bring teachings to young women that their bodies solely for sexual purposes. 

Others, such as Harvard Civil Rights argue that legalizing prostitution has positive benefits. One of the benefits of legalizing sex work is the safety of sex workers and sex workers would not be branded as criminals. The Netherlands is one country that is well known for legalizing prostitution, where sex work has been legal for over 20 years. 

 

But how will the legalization of sex workers be? What exactly will stipulate the formality of the industry? In the Netherlands, sex workers are required to register and have an age limit restriction of 21 years and above. However, such regulations might as well drive younger individuals into practicing illegal sex work. 

There has been a number of complains about sex workers being abused and assaulted and since they are in an illegal industry, they cannot really report their issues to law enforcements. There have been a number of calls to legalize prostitution in order to minimize mistreatment of sexual workers by their clients. 

What is your opinion in legalizing sex work? Should sex work? 

How would legalizing prostitution work or be regulated? 

In terms of rights, what kind of rights should sex workers have? Will they perhaps have certain working hours or will they be free to work at whatever time they so please? 

So many questions, so many questions...

Share your opinions...

Written by: Sthembiso Godi