Womxn: Working

Despite having one of the world’s most progressive constitutions, sex work remains illegal in South Africa, leaving sex workers without any legal protections. This lack of safeguards makes them particularly vulnerable in a society already plagued by epidemic levels of violence against women. Womxn Working explores the ongoing efforts of a group of women in the industry to legalise and destigmatise prostitution in South Africa. Director Shanelle Jewnerain spent several years documenting their journey as they campaign for their rights, petition national government for legalisation, and strive to raise public awareness through creative forms of protest. The film offers profound insights into the lives of these women, delving into their personal struggles as mothers and providers for their family, while refusing to define them solely by their occupation. In doing so, Womxn Working highlights the hypocrisy of a conservative national morality that marginalises sex work yet fails to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.