Sisonke Botswana Organisation

27/05/2026

stigma fades but rights don't we at Sisonke Botswana we take human rights seriously
*xworkiswork

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐗 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀

In the bustling streets of Gaborone, where the cost of survival continues to rise alongside unemployment, a quiet but urgent battle is unfolding behind closed doors.

At the centre of that struggle is Sisonke Botswana, a human rights advocacy movement pushing for dignity, protection and access to justice for s*x workers across Botswana. Leading that charge is Kesaobaka Kgosimpe, the organisation’s Lead Paralegal, who explained to Grill Lifestyle that the public has long misunderstood the organisation’s mission.

“Sisonke Botswana is a human rights advocacy movement. That’s what we really are,” Kgosimpe explained during an interview. “We want people to understand that everyone has rights and those rights matter.” For years, conversations around s*x work in Botswana have remained trapped between morality, culture and silence. Yet organisations like Sisonke argue that behind the stigma are real people facing violence, discrimination and denial of basic services.

According to Kgosimpe, the first and most important step towards protecting vulnerable individuals would be the decriminalisation of s*x work. “If we can have s*x work decriminalised, that’s the first step,” said Kgosimpe. “It will mean every s*x worker in Botswana can boldly receive health and justice services freely.”

Currently, many s*x workers reportedly avoid clinics, police stations and public institutions out of fear of discrimination, humiliation or arrest. Sisonke says the situation leaves many vulnerable to abuse, untreated illnesses and violence with little legal recourse. “Every day we receive reports of human rights violations,” Kgosimpe revealed. “Our clients are abused and denied services. It’s a lot.”

The organisation has since established a response system designed to help s*x workers report violence immediately and gain access to the services they need. The system aims to bridge the gap between victims and healthcare workers, police officers and legal support structures.

Botswana remains a deeply cultural and conservative society, where conversations surrounding s*x work are often met with discomfort. However, Kgosimpe believes cultural beliefs should never justify oppression. “In Botswana we do have deep beliefs and customs, but that does not mean minorities should be oppressed,” Kgosimpe stressed.

“If s*x work is decriminalised, it actually protects our clients.” One of the emerging realities now confronting advocacy groups is the growing number of men entering s*x work a phenomenon Kgosimpe links directly to the economic crisis facing young people.

“Culturally, a man is expected to provide,” Kgosimpe explained. “But if a man stays in Gaborone unemployed, or even employed while the cost of living is so high, survival becomes
difficult.

📲 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄:
https://wa.me/+26776395184

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18AWC31RAm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

MALE S*X WORKERS DESERVE RECOGNITION – SISONKE

Sisonke Botswana Organization has called for greater recognition and inclusion of male s*x workers, emphasizing that s*x work in Botswana is not solely a women’s issue but affects both men and women.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Tosh Legoreng highlighted that while female s*x workers are more visible and often dominate public discourse, male s*x workers remain largely hidden due to stigma, cultural expectations and fear of discrimination.

This has resulted in limited access to support systems, healthcare services and platforms to share their experiences.

Sisonke noted that economic pressures such as unemployment, poverty and the rising cost of living continue to push individuals into s*x work across all genders.

However, men are less likely to openly identify as s*x workers, making it more difficult for organisations and government programmes to reach them.

The organisation further raised concerns over shared risks within the industry, including exposure to violence, lack of legal protection, limited access to healthcare and ongoing mental health challenges driven by stigma and isolation.

For male s*x workers, these challenges are often intensified by societal perceptions around masculinity.

Sisonke Botswana stressed the need for inclusive policies and programmes that recognise all s*x workers equally, urging a shift in public discourse from judgment to understanding and support.

16/12/2025