“Ashewo no be work” is a common parlance Nigerians use to criminalize, deride and discriminate against sex workers as they are made to see the trade as not only shameful but also illegal.
But Belgium has changed all that now as the country has not only elevated the status of ‘Ashewos’ in its country, it has also made it a profession and legalised the trade.
In Belgium, you can now proudly say “I am Ashewo”.
Belgium, in Europe, becomes the first country to grant full employment rights to sex workers as it issued out landmark laws to ensure legal recognition of the trade and granted it workplace protections and a host of other benefits.
Belgium made history by becoming the first country in the world to grant it’s sex workers full employment rights, ensuring they are entitled to the same benefits and protections as other workers.
The landmark law, passed on Sunday, provides sex workers with access to maternity leave, pension contributions, and legal safeguards against exploitation.
The decision to grant the trade full recognition follows years of advocacy by sex workers and organizations, amplified by the lack of state support during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many in the industry vulnerable.
Acknowledging their newly elevated status as a milestone for equality, the Belgian Union of Sex Workers, in a statement described it as “a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers”.
Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium, shared her thoughts with the BBC, calling the law “an opportunity for us to exist as people.”
The new legislation goes beyond providing traditional employee benefits, introducing robust workplace protections, it now grants autonomy over work.
Sex workers now have the right to discriminate in the choice of clients or to refuse clients, decline a particular style or specific acts, or terminate an act at any time.
However, they must meet strict standards, including operating from a registered Belgian business address, maintaining a clean legal record, and providing safe working environments equipped with panic buttons, clean linen, showers, and condoms.
This move now places Belgium at the forefront of global efforts to grant sex workers legal recognition and workplace safety. The law addresses the exploitation and marginalization that have historically defined the industry, ensuring sex workers are no longer excluded from labor rights and state protections.
While other countries have decriminalized or legalized aspects of sex work, Belgium’s comprehensive approach to equate sex workers with other professions sets a global precedent.
The law not only empowers workers with economic security and dignity but also challenges long-standing societal stigmas.
By embedding protections into the legal framework, Belgium is paving the way for broader discussions on the rights and recognition of sex workers worldwide.
The passing of this legislation reflects a growing awareness of the need to prioritize human rights and workplace safety across all sectors, setting a transformative example for other nations.
