Asijiki is a coalition of sex workers, advocates and human rights defenders who advocate for law reform on the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa. Asijiki is the isiZulu term for ‘NO Turning Back’! The Asijiki Award for Service & Humanity allows us a moment to step back and recognise our allies, show our appreciation for their bold work towards our common cause, and share with others our appreciation of their efforts and support.

Today, Asijiki proudly presented this award to Justice Edwin Cameron for his enduring public support of sex worker’s human rights. The award is intended to acknowledge those whose peers often take a less brave stance and are overall under-recognised for their advocacy, specifically on issues of sex work. Asijiki is inspired by Justice Edwin Cameron’s international advocacy and his publicly speaking out against the impact of criminalisation on vulnerable groups, including LGBTQI+ individuals, HIV+ persons, and sex workers. Justice Cameron is an steadfast ally and outspoken critic of laws that criminalise sex work. His advocacy highlights the drastic impact of criminalisation and the increased vulnerability that it creates.

In accepting the award Justice Cameron said:
"I think the cause you are fighting for is more difficult than other causes, because you confront more stigma and prejudice and ostracism and hatred than most other causes. I did once say that the most marginalised, the most despised and the most stigmatised group in the world are sex workers and you face all the hatred and ignorance that people feel about themselves. It's a male-dominated activity because men seek to have it, so it's a gendered stigma which is imposed by men, who impose the ban, who impose the criminal penalties, who impose the stigma, and it's a big fight. The other reason why it's a particular honour for me to receive this award is because it is a job, it is another job as President Cyril Ramaphosa once said when he was Deputy President, but it's different from other jobs in that it is much more dangerous. It is terribly dangerous, you face many perils when you do your work. So for me to get an award like this as an ally of Asijiki and as an ally of sex workers is a significant thing in my life, because the core stigma, the stigma that I faced as a gay man, the stigma that I faced as someone living with HIV, the stigma that people face for their sexuality is the same stigma that is directed at sex workers. So I feel a great honour in being here. This award is very close to my heart. I'm going to hold it close to my heart. It is going to go on my CV today, on the Constitutional Court of South Africa website. And I want to thank everyone for the thought that went into it. I want to thank you, too, for the courage you show. The courage you show in doing your work. It is a difficult advocacy area because of the lack of spokespeople. It is the same that we faced with LGBTI - the invisibility. It is the same that we faced with AIDS and HIV - the invisibility. Where were the voices? Even today in AIDS and HIV there is still the silence. So you who are giving voice to the courage. Voice to the demand for justice. Voice to the demand for equality. Voice to the demand to be able to live and work safely. You are showing exceptional courage, and I honour that today with my whole heart. Thank you so much."

Asijiki is proud to present this award to Justice Cameron, and we will continue to move forward fearlessly and vigorously towards our vision of a world where sex work is decriminalised, sex worker rights are safeguarded and all sex workers are treated with dignity and respect.

Asijiki salutes our allies and supporters, and we're grateful for their continued public advocacy and support for decriminalisation of sex work!

Press Contacts:
Asijiki Coordinator: Constance Mathe: coordinator@asijiki.org.za Cell: 078 004 2241.