South Africa plans to legalize sex work in a bid to tackle crime against women and HIV infections

Johannesburg — South Africa on Friday said it would decriminalize sex work, hoping to tackle high levels of crime against women in a country with one of the world's highest HIV caseloads. The sale and purchase of sexual services will no longer be treated as a crime under proposed legislation put forward by the justice ministry.

According to advocacy groups there are over 150,000 sex workers in the country.  

"It is hoped that decriminalization will minimize human rights violations against sex workers," Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told a press briefing. "It would also mean better access to health care and... afford better protection for sex workers, better working conditions and less discrimination and stigma."