Global Fund [to 17 January 2015]
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/

Press releases
:: South African HIV Program on Rights of Sex Workers
12 January 2015
The South African National AIDS Council said that a long-awaited HIV program catering specifically to the needs of sex workers – 60 percent of whom are estimated to be living with HIV – became firmly established during the course of 2014.

The program aims to reduce transmission of HIV to sex workers and their clients, ensure good access to social services and healthcare for sex workers, and tackle human rights abuses that make sex workers exceptionally vulnerable to HIV infection.

Details of the initiative were presented to the media and public for the first time today at an event held in Newtown, Johannesburg.
“The introduction of a national HIV programme for sex workers finally plugs a gaping hole in our country’s response to the epidemic,” said Dr. Fareed Abdullah, CEO of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC.)

“General HIV services simply do not meet the special needs of sex workers,” said Dr. Abdullah. “Their work exposes sex workers to hugely increased risk of infection.

“It is not only a question of having a large number of sex partners, many of whom demand unprotected sex. Sex work is often dangerous and lonely. It is illegal in this country and carries a heavy social stigma. An exceptional program is needed to provide effective HIV services to sex workers and fulfil their right – along with all South Africans – to receive healthcare.”