For years, there have been calls for sex work to be legalised in the country but to no avail as Batswana have mixed feelings about the oldest profession in the world being regulated within their borders.

While some viewed sex work as immoral and demeaning to women, others said it should be recognised as a source of livelihood. Batswana made the submissions during kgotla meetings that were held across the country on the Constitutional Review that was conducted by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution.

There were views that commercial sex work also exposes women to danger and abuse. Those who held these views made submissions that efforts should be made to create employment for young people and to introduce unemployment grants to address joblessness.

However, those who supported sex work revealed the existence of discrimination against commercial sex work proposing that laws should be strengthened to punish those who abuse sex workers. Some advocated the legalisation of commercial sex work, protection of the rights of sex workers and that they should be issued free Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to combat HIV.

They further made submissions that the shortage of drugs at health facilities worsens the situation as sex workers have to purchase their supplies from private health outlets, which is an expensive alternative.

However, the Commission stated to have noted the views expressed above and that government provides free PrEP to combat HIV, which mitigates the risk and spread of HIV/AIDS amongst sex workers and other affected groups, hence suggesting that sex work should not be legalised, reads the report of the commission.

Moreover, as Batswana had suggested, the Commission recommended government introduce unemployment grants to address joblessness. Submissions were made by Batswana for abortion to be legalised particularly when the pregnant mother is not in a mental state to care for a child, when the mother is not economically fit, or when pregnancy threatens the life of the mother.

However, opposing views were that unborn babies have a right to life and that abortion will be depriving the unborn child of the right to life. In addition, it was pointed out that there are laws that provide for abortion in specified situations. The Commission revealed to have debated the issue of termination of pregnancy at length and has observed that the cases of unwanted pregnancies have grown at an alarming rate. It was also observed that women often cross borders to terminate pregnancies or resort to illegal means of termination, which often lead to death.

In the end, the Commission recommended that commercial sex work should not be legalised but proposed that termination of pregnancy be legalised. It was further submitted that students who become pregnant should be allowed to continue with their education. However, the Commission notes that government policy provides for pregnant girls and young mothers to continue with their education.