Prostitution & Human Rights
CSHR
CENTRUM FÖR STUDIET AV MÄNSKLIGA RÄTTIGHETER Göteborg University
Centre for the Study of Human Rights __________________________________________________________________________________________
Prostitution, HIV/AIDS and human rights: A case study of sex workers in the township of Katutura, Namibia
Author: Carolina Hjorth Supervisor: Peter Johansson, CSHR April – September 2005
PROSTITUTION, HIV/AIDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF SEX WORKERS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF KATUTURA, NAMIBIA
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ABSTRACT Millions of people currently live with HIV/AIDS around the world. Regionally, SubSaharan Africa is most affected, with some national HIV-prevalence rates reaching 30%. In Namibia, prevalence has recently dipped to 19.7%, after years of increasing levels. Women in Namibia account for more than half of new infections. Though prostitutes are not included as a group entity in national HIV surveys, it is estimated that HIV-prevalence levels among them are much higher than the national average. Two forms of prostitution exist in Namibia, both of which are criminalised through the Combating of Immoral Practices (Act 21 of 1980): exchange sex work and classic sex work. Since prostitution is illegal, sex workers are forced underground and become more vulnerable to HIV-infection. However, very little has been written about sex work in Namibia, and therefore no figures on prostitution are available. Failure to monitor HIV-prevalence rates among prostitutes can have the unwanted consequence that rates spread quicker than anticipated. The AIDS epidemic has highlighted the importance of access to adequate health care. The right to health is included in the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), of which Namibia is a signatory. However, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) often face discrimination and stigma, in particular
CENTRUM FÖR STUDIET AV MÄNSKLIGA RÄTTIGHETER Göteborg University
Centre for the Study of Human Rights __________________________________________________________________________________________
Prostitution, HIV/AIDS and human rights: A case study of sex workers in the township of Katutura, Namibia
Author: Carolina Hjorth Supervisor: Peter Johansson, CSHR April – September 2005
PROSTITUTION, HIV/AIDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF SEX WORKERS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF KATUTURA, NAMIBIA
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT Millions of people currently live with HIV/AIDS around the world. Regionally, SubSaharan Africa is most affected, with some national HIV-prevalence rates reaching 30%. In Namibia, prevalence has recently dipped to 19.7%, after years of increasing levels. Women in Namibia account for more than half of new infections. Though prostitutes are not included as a group entity in national HIV surveys, it is estimated that HIV-prevalence levels among them are much higher than the national average. Two forms of prostitution exist in Namibia, both of which are criminalised through the Combating of Immoral Practices (Act 21 of 1980): exchange sex work and classic sex work. Since prostitution is illegal, sex workers are forced underground and become more vulnerable to HIV-infection. However, very little has been written about sex work in Namibia, and therefore no figures on prostitution are available. Failure to monitor HIV-prevalence rates among prostitutes can have the unwanted consequence that rates spread quicker than anticipated. The AIDS epidemic has highlighted the importance of access to adequate health care. The right to health is included in the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), of which Namibia is a signatory. However, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) often face discrimination and stigma, in particular
Bibliography: APPENDIX I Map of Namibia Source: http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcnamibia.htm, as of August 10, 2005 Source: http://encarta.msn.com/map_701517658/Windhoek.html, as of August 10, 2005 57 APPENDIX IV Source: http://www.who.int/hiv/facts/ARVcov05web.jpg, as of August 17, 2005