Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Sex workers in Namibia used International Sex Workers Day on 2 June to renew their call for the government to reform laws that criminalise their work.
While exchanging sex for money is not illegal in Namibia, laws under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act and municipal by-laws criminalise related activities.
These include public solicitation, brothel operation, procuring sex work, and exposing oneself in public.
Deyonce Naris, who identifies as a sex worker, said the current legal setup puts them at risk and prevents them from reporting crimes.
“We cannot report crimes committed against us because we are criminalised under other parts of the law. This makes our work more dangerous,” Naris said.
She urged lawmakers to remove penalties linked to sex work and ensure sex workers can access services without fear of arrest or discrimination.
Civil society groups estimate that more than 10,000 people are involved in sex work in Namibia.
International Sex Workers Day is observed every year on 2 June. The day highlights the legal and social issues affecting sex workers.
In 2008, the Legal Assistance Centre recommended that sex work be decriminalised.
The organisation said this could reduce HIV transmission and improve sex workers’ rights. The LAC continues to support a legal shift.
Rights not Rescue, a group run by sex workers, also supports full decriminalisation.
The group says it would allow sex workers to work in safer environments, get healthcare, and report crimes without fear.
Other groups in Namibia oppose any move to legalise or decriminalise sex work. Some offer job training to those exiting the trade.
Religious groups argue that sex work goes against Namibia’s Christian values.
Asked about those concerns, Naris said sex workers are asking for safety, not approval.
“People who are involved in this work need protection and services like everyone else,” she said.
Sex workers who are abused or exploited face challenges in reporting these crimes. Legal experts have said this limits their access to justice.
According to UNAIDS reports, an estimated 42 million people worldwide were engaged in sex work in 2023.
However, this figure is said to likely be an undercount due to underreporting, given the informal and often clandestine nature of the industry in many countries.
Of those involved, approximately 80% are women.
A large number operate in environments characterised by poverty, gender inequality, violence, and limited access to essential services.
