The name Embrace Dignity reflects our deep belief in the right to the dignity of all. Noting that most of the people who purchase sex are men (99%) and those they purchase are overwhelmingly women leads us to regard prostitution as a form of gender based violence, exploitation and dehumanisation, rooted in unequal power relations. Patriarchy entrenches prostitution which in turn perpetuates patriarchy – a vicious cycle.
To break the cycle, we advocate for the Equality Model Law, also known as the Swedish Law, the Nordic Law or the Sankara Equality Law. The Equality Model Law was spearheaded by Sweden in 1999, and it has steadily gained traction. It has been adopted by Norway, Iceland, Canada, Northern Ireland, France, Ireland and Israel.
The Equality Model Law seeks to end the demand by criminalising the buying of sex and holding buyers, pimps and brothel keepers accountable, while decriminalising ONLY the prostituted people and supporting them to exit the system of prostitution.
Every woman who has to sell her life for sex we condemn to a lifetime in prison. For every moment we remain silent, we conspire against our women.
Nelson Mandela – 19 March 2005
Prostitution is nothing but the microcosm of a society where exploitation is a general
Thomas Sankara, President of Burkina Faso from 1983-1987.
rule.
Equality Law
Under total criminalisation, prostituted persons (mostly women) end up getting arrested while sex buyers are not. This is the reality in South Africa even though sex buyers, pimps and brothel keepers are the drivers of the system of prostitution.
The Equality Law is the ultimate way to fight sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation by arresting sex buyers and other exploiters while decriminalising ONLY the prostituted persons and helping them exit prostitution.
The Equality Model Law we seek would include training of all professionals, especially those in the criminal justice system, health and social services on the realities of prostitution. The training would include how to communicate with prostituted persons without prejudice or violation of their constitutional rights.
Join the campaign to end commercial sexual exploitation. Sign the Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution in Africa (CAPA) Charter.
Recent Posts
Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge – Embrace Dignity Webinar on the merits of the Equality Model Law
In this segment Embrace Dignity’s own Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge brings to light the problems with the…
Embrace Dignity Webinar on the merits of the Equality Model Law on Prostitution
A rebroadcast of a dialogue on the merits of the Equality Model Law held by…
