Our Story
The Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) is South Africa’s leading sex worker rights organisation. SWEAT has a 30-year history in organising sex workers, advocating for the decriminalisation of sex work and delivering services to sex workers.
SWEAT was founded in November 1994 by Shane Petzer (a male sex worker) and Ilse Pauw (clinical psychologist).
We have facilitated the birth of two movements and a coalition, the African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA), Sisonke, the national movement of sex workers and in 2015, the Asijiki Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Sex Work in South Africa. ASWA is now an independent organisation based in Kenya, and Sisonke is moving towards its own independence in South Africa.
Our vision is a South Africa where people who choose to sell sex are able to enjoy freedom, rights and human dignity.
What We Do
Advocacy and Policy Change
Our work aims to progress laws and policies that protect sex workers’ rights and hold perpetrators accountable.
Outreach and Legal Advice
We provide essential health, legal, and social services to sex workers while promoting awareness and education in communities.
Capacity Building
We conduct thorough research to support our advocacy efforts and service delivery for sex workers.