Parliament, Thursday, 08 February 2018 – Parliament’s Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (MPWC) has proposed a new date for the summit with stakeholders for their inputs and responses to the South African Law Reform Commission’s (SALRC’s) Report 107 on adult prostitution. The summit will now happen on 05 March 2018 at Parliament.
The summit was planned for October last year, but was postponed by the MPWC on the request of various stakeholders. Committee Chairperson Ms Masefele Story Morutoa then said this decision was taken in the interests of democracy. “We have been inundated with requests for a postponement of the summit due to the short deadline for submissions from organisations. After our initial media statement on the summit was issued, we received huge interest from the public who wished to comment on this matter. In order to make this an open, inclusive and transparent exercise, which are core values of a democratic Parliament, we had to consider these requests and respond positively,” said Ms Morutoa.
Regarding the new date for the summit, Ms Morutoa said the MPWC is proceeding with the event conscious of the African National Congress resolution on the subject, which is to allow for decriminalisation. “The Caucus feels it is more relevant to host this engagement in order to enrich the discussions around the best model for decriminalisation. The Department of Justice and Correctional Services will also play a pivotal role in this summit, since it is now tasked with formulating a policy framework and thereafter a Bill in furtherance of the resolution on sex work.”
The closing date for all interested stakeholders who want to make written submissions is 26 February 2018 to Committee Secretary Mr Bryan Mantyi, bmantyi@parliament.gov.za, 083 709 8428. Stakeholders must also indicate if you will make oral submissions on the day of the summit.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE MULTI-PARTY WOMEN’S CAUCUS, MS MASEFELE STORY MORUTOA
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
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