News | 26 May 2017
NACOSA notes the release of the South African Law Reform Commission report on Project 107 dealing with Adult Prostitution. We are concerned about the impact that the continued criminalisation of sex work will have on the lives of sex workers, particularly as it relates to high and increasing rates of HIV, AIDS and TB in this vulnerable population. NACOSA reaches over 50,000 sex workers per quarter with a human-rights based packaged of services to save the lives of sex workers through access to health and related services. In our experience of working with this vulnerable group, they face chronic levels…
Tags: sex workers
Publications, Research | 29 Jul 2016
Creating Safe Spaces: Evaluation of the Red Umbrella Sex Work Programme by Jerushah Rangasami and Tracey Konstant, Impact Consulting, for NACOSA and SANAC. Special thanks to SWEAT in their role as main implementing partner. The evaluation looks at the challenges, learning and successes of NACOSA’s Sex Work programme funded by the Global Fund between 2013-2016. Published by NACOSA with support from the Global Fund, June 2016.
Tags: evaluation, good practice, red umbrella, sex workers
News | 22 Jun 2016
On 1 June 2016, the National Department of Health announced the sites for the initial roll-out of PrEP and test and treat for sex workers. Four of NACOSA’s Red Umbrella sub-recipient organisations’ sites will be part of this exciting and ground-breaking development in the HIV/AIDS response. Nyaradzo Mutanha, Sex Workers Project Manager at the Esselen Street Clinic reported on their launch event… Sex workers are at high risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and STIs due to the high number of sexual partners). HIV prevalence amongst this population is very high, with recent study showing an alarming 72% in Johanesburg…
Tags: Key population, PrEP, sex workers, test and treat
News | 1 Jun 2016
Following the landmark announcement in the Minister of Health’s budget speech that pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Test and Treat will be provided to sex workers from 1 June, the National Department of Health has assessed and approved the following sites for the initial rollout: Esselen Street Clinic in Hillbrow SSWP Wellness Centre in Soweto Sediba Hope Medical Centre in Tshwane TB/HIV Care Clinic in eThekwini The North Star Alliance Trucker Wellness Centres in Musina (Limpopo), Pomona (Gauteng), Ngodwana (Mpumalanga), Pongola(KZN), Upington (Northern Cape) and Hoedspruit (Limpopo). Additional sites will be prepared to provide these services in the coming months. “We…
Tags: PrEP, sex workers, test and treat
News, Publications | 4 Apr 2016
NACOSA Key Populations specialist, Maria Stacey and Programme Director, Marieta De Vos were in Pretoria to support the launch of the South African National Sex Worker HIV Plan 2016 – 2019 by Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa. Sex workers have not received the same attention as the general population in the country response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). A 2013 rapid population size estimation study commissioned by SANAC reported that there are approximately 153 000 sex workers in South Africa. These workers are a highly marginalized group with high rates of HIV, TB, and STI incidence and prevalence. Prevalence is…
Tags: key populations, National Plan, SANAC, sex workers
