Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-08 17:59:39
Sex work, a controversial and often stigmatized profession, is at the center of a growing movement in Uganda led by sex worker organizations and activists. These groups, working in collaboration with the Network of Key Population Service Organizations (UNESO) and the Ubuntu Law and Justice Centre, are pushing for the decriminalization of sex work through an amendment of the law.
In a press conference held in Kampala to mark International Women’s Day, representatives from these organizations highlighted the challenges faced by sex workers due to the criminalization of their work. Ms. Juliet Kanyange, a lawyer from the Ubuntu Law and Justice Centre, emphasized that criminalizing sex work not only hinders the ability of sex workers to seek justice but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and discrimination against them. The call for decriminalization is driven by the belief that recognizing sex work as a legitimate source of income would empower sex workers to assert their rights and access legal recourse when needed.
The issue of femicide, the killing of women because of their gender, was also raised at the press conference. Ms. Deborah Nakatudde, a member of UNESO, revealed that at least eight sex workers had been brutally murdered in Uganda since December 2023. These killings, she noted, have occurred with impunity, highlighting the failure of the Criminal Justice System to hold perpetrators accountable and deliver justice in cases of femicide. The urgency of decriminalizing sex work is further underscored by these tragic events, as the lack of legal protection leaves sex workers vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
Despite its prevalence as a source of livelihood for many individuals in Uganda, sex work remains unrecognized under the country’s employment and labor laws. The efforts to decriminalize sex work are part of a broader push for gender equality and human rights in the country. Human rights activists have been advocating for the passage of the Sexual Offences Bill, which would decriminalize sex work and provide greater protection for sex workers. However, these advocacy efforts have faced resistance, with Parliament rejecting the proposed amendments and maintaining the criminalization of sex work.
The ongoing campaign to decriminalize sex work in Uganda is a critical step towards ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of sex workers. By advocating for legal recognition and protection, these organizations are working to address the systemic barriers and discrimination that sex workers face on a daily basis. Through their collective efforts, they aim to create a more inclusive and just society where all individuals are able to live and work without fear of violence or persecution.
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