Independent rights expert calls for an end to ‘normalisation’ of prostitution
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN’s independent human rights expert countering violence against women and girls called on Friday for prostitution to be recognised unambiguously as a “system of violence, exploitation and abuse”.
Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem said in her latest report to the Human Rights Council that prostitution reduces women and girls to “mere commodities” and allows for a system of discrimination and violence to stop women from reaching true equality.
“Prostitution sexualises and racialises poverty, and targets women from marginalised backgrounds, who often lack access to protection services or viable livelihood opportunities, increasing their vulnerability to further exploitation,” Ms. Alsalem added.
She emphasised that prostitution violates physical, psychological, and economic rights of the individual and can lead to torture, dignity, and safety violations among others.
Further, she said it is important to use phrasing that aligns with international human rights law, noting that the term “sex work” can dilute prostitution’s true harmfulness.
She also expressed concern about how men’s right to buy sexual acts normalises systematic violence and blurs the lines between consenting sexual activities and sexual violence.
“The normalisation of prostitution, including pornography, creates harmful sexual expectations for men and boys and undermines the safe and equal participation of women and girls in society,” Ms. Alsalem said.
The expert is calling for States to, “decriminalise prostitution for women and girls, who must be treated as victims, provide comprehensive support and exit pathways, as well as criminalise the purchase of sexual acts, and apply stringent actions against pimping”.
Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed rights experts are independent of the any government, receive no salary for their work and serve in their individual capacity.
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