#SAAIDS2017: Women stage protest during Ramaphosa address

The group of activists held placards calling for the decriminalisation of sex work.

Ramaphosa, who is the chairperson of the South African National Aids Council, delivered his speed amidst the protest telling delegates the new National Strategic Plan for HIV prevention and treatment for sex workers will strengthen their interventions to reduce HIV and TB infections.

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"While we acknowledge the huge gains we have made, we know very well and remain very much alive and anxious about the persistently high levels of infection particularly amongst young girls and women from research," he said. 

After finishing his speech, Ramaphosa spoke with the protesting women and thanked them for doing so in a peaceful manner.

Sonke Gender Justice's Marlise Richter says they are upset that after being told that the decriminalisation of sex work would be included in the National Strategic Plan, it's now been excluded.

"I think Sanac has let us down.  While we consider the Deputy President as an ally, we don't think that they have done enough to take a strong and principled position on the decriminalisation of sex work. We are concerned that the politics and the section moralism that go with decriminalisation of sex work have meant that they have wavered on their commitment," she said.