MPS SLAMMED OVER SEX WORK DENIAL

MANZINI – Members of the public have come hard on the parliamentarians who expressed shock that organised sex work exists in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) who participated in a Parliamentary TB Caucus orientation session, conducted by Positive Women Together in Action in partnership with Voice of Our Voices (VOOV) and Swaziland AIDS Support Organisation (SASO) at The George Hotel in Manzini yesterday, raised concerns about the reality of organised sex work in the country. MP Masiphula Mamba asked about the origins of sex workers in Eswatini and MP Tsembeni Magongo questioned why there were no government initiatives to help them leave sex work through societal reintegration programmes.

This prompted some members of the public to wonder which country the MPs inhabit, as sex work is prevalent throughout the land. They argued that organised sex work is common, with some women disguising it as what is termed a ‘girlfriend allowance’. Failure to pay this allowance could lead a man to face legal consequences for rape.

Girlfriends

“Our girlfriends sell to us in the form of girlfriend allowances. If you do not pay, it will be ‘All rise in court,’” stated one individual. Others accused the MPs of being disingenuous, suggesting that the parliamentarians are well aware of the reasons women engage in sex work, given the rampant poverty and alarming unemployment rates in the country.

According to the Integrated Labour Force Survey of 2023, announced by the Minister for Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, the unemployment rate has surged by 2.1 per cent, rising from 33.3 per cent to 35.4 per cent, while youth unemployment stands at around 58 per cent.
In light of these figures, members of the public urged MPs to focus on addressing unemployment rather than feigning surprise at the existence of organised sex work, which they believe will help eradicate poverty. Furthermore, they argued that emaSwati do not merely need jobs, but require decent employment to uplift their living conditions.

“Why are they shocked when, in some sectors of the economy, workers are paid as little as E1 500 per month?” they questioned. Meanwhile, Lungile Khumalo, Executive Director of Voice of Our Voices (VOOV), remarked that the concerns raised by the parliamentarians represent a significant statement for the organisation and its partners. VOOV, which advocates for the rights of sex workers, prioritises social change, the protection of sex workers and links them with services and health resources.

The organisation also calls for law reform that accommodates everyone’s rights.“This indicates that we have a significant task ahead: To educate the nation, including legislators, about the realities faced by those classified as key populations, including sex workers,” Khumalo said. She believes that the shock expressed by some individuals stems from a lack of awareness. Consequently, VOOV plans to implement a strategy for community sensitisation.

Encourage

“We also need to approach Parliament to educate legislators,” Khumalo added. She highlighted that informing MPs could encourage them to acknowledge the need for protection for key populations. For instance, she noted that many do not receive justice in their reported cases due to discrimination against key populations, despite the legal system’s obligation to treat all individuals equally.

She pointed out that numerous cases of gender-based violence (GBV) involving key populations go unreported for fear of stigma and those that are reported often do not progress in court. After raising awareness among MPs, VOOV also aims to lobby for amendments to outdated laws, such as the Loitering Act of 1889, which is frequently used to arrest sex workers. “We cannot blame the police, because they are merely enforcing existing laws,” Khumalo said.

Despite the legislators seeming unaware of organised sex work, evidence of its existence is readily available online. A website purporting to be the Eswatini dating guide provides advice on engaging with local women and suggests ways to find sexual encounters, stating: “Travel, enjoy and have fun with hot single girls and you might even meet the love of your life. Read more on how to date Swati women, where to find sex and how to get laid in Eswatini.” Recently, our sister publication, the Eswatini News, reported that some sex workers have turned to social media to conduct their business, seeking safety from the dangers present on the streets and evading law enforcement crackdowns.

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