Overview

Sisonke, a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 by a group of 70 women, some in the sex work trade in response to the abuse, isolation, and human rights violations faced by this marginalized community. With offices in six provinces and plans to expand nationwide, Sisonke strives to empower sex workers and advocate for their rights across South Africa. The organization envisions a future where sex work is acknowledged as legitimate work, ensuring the health and human rights of sex workers.

With 33 employees and a growing members base, Sisonke works towards uniting sex workers, improving their living and working conditions, and fighting for equal access to basic human rights. Sisonke’s mission is to challenge the criminalization of sex work, seeking the repeal of punitive laws that criminalizes sex work, sex workers and the clients of sex workers. Sisonke emphasizes the importance of respecting the rights of sex workers, recognizing sex work as a valid form of income, and demanding the freedom to make a living without discrimination.

In pursuit of justice and equality, Sisonke stands as a collective voice, advocating for the recognition, respect, and fair treatment of sex workers throughout South Africa.

What we do to make change

At Sisonke, we empower sex workers through member training, sensitization programs, creative spaces, outreach efforts, media engagement, and policy advocacy. Our focus is on building sex worker unity, advocating for our rights, and providing social assistance to our members through our networks. We envision a South Africa where sex work is recognized as legitimate work, ensuring the health and human rights of sex workers. Our mission is to unite sex workers, improve living and working conditions, and fight for equal access to basic human rights. We demand the repeal of punitive laws, respect for our rights, recognition of sex work as a legitimate source of income, and the freedom to make a living like any other individual in South Africa.

Build a movement

Creating a common cause to empower sex workers, and promote access to, safety, health, and decriminalization of sex work.

Shape policy

Uniting as a collective to challenge the criminalization of sex work and have the criminalization of sex work repealed.

Boots on ground

Reduce stigma and improve information, support sex workers with services such as access to health care, the police, and the court system.

Logo and images

This selection of visual assets can help you tell the story of our organization. We include logos, anonymous pics of our authors, and some workshop process images.

Sisonke leadership

Our leadership team in our advocacy for the rights of sex workers and the decriminalization of sex work.

Media contact

Reach out to our media contact if you are writing an article and would like more information about us.