Prostitution is not "Sex Work"

As in Canada, there was a lot of discussion about the legalizing of prostitution; the nordic model or the legalizing, and regulating of prostitution. I attended 2 sessions where this discussion took place - prostitution is a form of violence against women, and showing the strong connection with trafficking.

The spouse of the Representative to the UN from Burundi (Mdm. Nelly Niyonzima)has led a campaign "Say NO to the Exploitation of Humans for Profit" which was launched at this CSW. There are now posters and stickers, and a media campaign, launched in New York, and will be available in many languages. Mdm. Nelly Niyonzima spoke personally how she was almost tricked into going with traffickers - they operate very cleverly, and there are now many girls who have been abducted and can not be found. A film "I am Slave" was to be shown later, but I did not see it. The producer of the film, Andrea Calderwood, spoke to us, about how serious the issue of trafficking is.

The other session I attended was led by a group of former sex workers. Is Prostitution Sex Work? When Terminology and Legalization Collide with Human Rights - the language is important and prostitution is a form of violence against women. The term "sex work" is problematic when referring to prostitution. It is violence against women and a human rights violation. Legitimizing prostitution as work sanctions violence against women and girls as well as the inequality of women and girls. Referring to prostitution as "work" ignores the fact so many women are trafficked into prostitution. Promoting prostitution as a "job" normalizes and legitimizes it as an employment option. It allows for enormous legal profits for the sex industry and tax revenues, generated from the exploitation of poor women.

--Mary Scott