Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) will, on Friday, 11 March 2016, launch the ‘National Sex Worker HIV Plan’, at the Turbine Hall in Newtown Johannesburg at 13h00.

The National Sex Worker HIV Plan is a coordinated national sex worker HIV prevention, care and treatment plan. The Plan includes the provision of pre-exposure and early treatment for sex workers as core components of the health-care package and as advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The National Strategic Plan on HIV, STI and TB 2012-2016 notes that sex workers need a comprehensive and nationally co-ordinated response.

This should include HIV care, treatment and prevention services that address exacerbating factors such as alcohol and substance use including access to justice and legal protection to address violence and harassment of sex workers.

Over and above highlighting and presenting critical areas of the Plan and government’s response to sex workers issues, the launch event will also present an opportunity to raise awareness around sex worker’s health and human rights issues.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported in the launch of the Plan by Deputy Ministers Dr Joe Phaahla of Health; John Jeffery of Justice and Constitutional Development and Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu of Social development.

The Presidency