2010 World Cup and Decriminalising the Sex Trade

The ongoing debate as to whether the sex trade in South Africa should be decriminalised or legalised has gained momentum as the 2010 Soccer World Cup approaches. In this article we take a look at various reasons why this should happen, and kindly ask for your feedback.... (read more)

Decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa

Leading up to the 2010 soccer World Cup, sex work has come under intense public scrutiny in South Africa. Concerns about sex work, HIV and the increase in visitors to the country during the mega-event have come at the same time as a review of the country’s laws on prostitution. In the light of this, several civil society groups are pushing for greater protection of sex workers’ human rights during the World Cup, and ultimately for the complete decriminalisation of sex work...(read more)

Will 2010 be an opportunity or a threat to sex workers?

Accusations of theft and whether the Egyptian soccer team celebrated their historic 1-0 victory over the World Champions Italy with sex workers from Oxford Road almost overshadowed the sporting event itself. Though later found to be untrue, these events just re-enforce the fact that just as journalists, soccer fans and tourists will bombard the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sex work will likely form part of the event’s activities... read more

Largest HIV/AIDS campaign to begin in April

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has unveiled the country’s largest ever HIV/AIDS testing and counselling campaign. The new multimillion rand project will kick off in April. The minister said he hoped it would help government understand the pandemic better... read more

Workers to give out 2.5 billion condoms in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG — Thousands of health workers will help hand out 2.5 billion condoms and test 15 million people for HIV as part of the world's largest campaign in the country hardest hit by the virus, the health minister said Thursday...Every person receiving HIV counseling and testing will receive 100 male condoms each, and 1 billion others will be distributed to public facilities, including FIFA-accredited hotels for football fans during the upcoming World Cup tournament, Motsoaledi said.... read more

Press Release: Africa Goal Campaign: An Innovative Combination of the 2010 World Cup fun with preventing HIV in Africa

PRETORIA, 23 March 2010 (SAfAIDS Media) - For the first time that the World Cup is being played in Africa, the ‘AIDS Highway' will witness a spectacular combination of the screening of the matches in conjunction with the screening of HIV and AIDS information videos from June 11th to 11th July 2010. The long journey will start along the AIDS Highway (From Kenya, to Johannesburg), where increased mobility and migration in conjunction with rising disposable incomes and the associated escalation of transactional sex are major contributors to the spread of HIV through the region....read more