Sex workers in europe manifesto PDF

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Alexia Djeumo Misiego Theory of gender and democracy 11/11/2020

SEX WORKERS IN EUROPE MANIFESTO This manifesto claims to explore the current inequalities and injustices within the sex industry; question their origin; confronting and challenging them and puting forward the vision of sex workers of changes that are needed in order to create “a more equitable society in which sex workers, their rights and labour are acknowledged and valued”. Throughout the text, the writers argue that sex work as a legitimate job that should not be criminalised, as sex is just as any other service that we sell and buy. The document makes reference to morality and religious values as the reason that makes society criminalise sex work. According to this, our current societies are hypocrites as their services (sex related) are used, but their business is considered illegal, denying them legal protection. They also speak about the significant implication of migrants in this matter, arguing that: -

Anti-prostitution policies are contributing factors to the violation of migrant rights Legalizing sex work helps ending rights violations and prevent abuse. Abuse happens in sex work but does not define it. Restrictive legislation contributes to discrimination, stigma and abuse of sex workers.

They also ask for an end to legislation that criminalises sex work as well as the recognition of their rights to join and form unions. In addition to that, they claim that clients have the right to purchase sexual services.

About sex work Prostitution is often called the most ancient job in history. The premise that sex work is stigmatised and a taboo in our societies is correct. Looking back in time, sex work has never been completely erradicated. Instead, it’s been covered by a veil of secrecy, marginalisation and prohibition in order to maintain appearances. In the following paragraphs I will focus on female (biological or not) prostitution, as I think it has further implications with other topics dicussed in this course, although it’s undeniable that men are also involved in sex work. The patriarcal idea of “sexual respectability” has been perpetuated by the dichotomy between the mother and the whore, the dignified and pure woman versus the indecent and shameless one, subject to public consumption and disrespect. This double morality, that asks women for modesty and decorum but then promotes sex as a necessity that men must satisfy raises,

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Alexia Djeumo Misiego Theory of gender and democracy 11/11/2020

understandably, great outrage. However, I don’t think that the only (or the better) alternative to this conservative/Judeo-Christian prohibitionism is the complete legalization of sex work and everything that it involves.

Abolitionism vs prohibitionism. The importance of nuances There are several ways to approach the prostitution debate. as there are different ways of being against prostitution. While the prohibitionist approach is often guided by conservative puritanism, that puts the blame on the sex worker through punitive measures, abolitionism decriminalises the sexworker and punishes pimps and customers. Abolitionism is against the idea that women deserve more or less respect based on their sexual life, or how many sexual partners they have (as this perpetuates the idea that women are not an active part of the sexual act). However, instead of following the liberal discourse (that we can find in this manifesto) that prostitution is an act of free will, it analyses the deeper historial and socio-economic dynamics behind it. I think that prostitution wouldn’t be possible without the inequealities existing based on gender, race and social classes. Whether we like it or not, colonialism, imperialism, gender socialization and the way we understand masculinity has a huge impact on this matter. The pro-regulation discourse has a very individualistic approach. It envisages sexwork as a self-determinating issue. Everyone's free to do as they please with their own bodies. Sex is just a product. Sex work doesn’t define a person (I do agree with this last part). However, I think that this is a naive or selfish approach. Not everyone enters into the sex industry because they want to. And although the manifesto acknowledges this, I think that they fall short on their analysis. The mere existence of prostitution enables the existence of human trafficking or human abuse. For many people, sex work is their only viable way out. People that find themselves in a situation of vulnerability or social exclusion, who are led to believe that selling their bodies is their only choice. This is not victimising, in my opinion (and according to many sex workers’ experiences) this is a reality. And the fact that some people choose to do it, doesn’t change it. It would be naive to think that prohibiting prostitution would make it desappear from day to morning. It’s important to provide sex workers with a net of support that allows them to get out of “this world” and protect them while they are in, but without forgetitng who the real problem is: customers and the ones that make real money in this industry. It is not okay to consume people. Abolitionists are often reproached for not listening to actual sex workers, but many of them are former sex workers or ex-victims of human trafficking that have made it out of it. Statistics and social studies show that the legalizing way doesn not provide more security to

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Alexia Djeumo Misiego Theory of gender and democracy 11/11/2020

sex workers (we just have to study the German case, I’ve listed several articles on this issue on the bibliography)

Conclusion Most women and girls are in prostitution because of a lack of options. I think that women and girls should have other viable options. This is why I think the solution is to be found in high quality non-judgemental services that help them exit and for an end to women’s systematic inequality and poverty. To justify prostitution by a supposed choice is to deny the reallity of many people in the sex industry. It is the language of the vested interest. The customers are the ones who have choice. The choice to continue to abuse the vulnerability of many or the choice to say no to prostitution.

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Alexia Djeumo Misiego Theory of gender and democracy 11/11/2020

Articles and papers of interest / references

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El País: prostitutas, inmigrantes y forzadas. https://elpais.com/sociedad/2011/08/18/actualidad/1313618406_850215.html El mundo: casi todas las prostitutas atendidas en Médicos Mundo son inmigrantes: https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2007/11/09/baleares/1194613447.html What is the nordic model?: h ttps://nordicmodelnow.org/what-is-the-nordic-model/ How legalizing prostitution has failed: https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/human-trafficking-persists-despite-lega lity-of-prostitution-in-germany-a-902533.html Welcome to paradise: http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/welcome-to-paradise/ Vednita Nelson, Prostitution: where racism and sexism intersect: https://s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/observatoirebdd/1993_Prost_Where_racism_and _sexism_interest_Article_NELSON_ENG.pdf Prostitution and colonial relations: https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004346253/B9789004346253_034.xml Farley, Melissa & Cotton, Ann & Lynne, Jacqueline & Zumbeck, Sybille & Spiwak, Frida & Reyes, María Emma & Alvarez, Dinorah & Sezgin, Ufuk. (2004). Prostitution and Trafficking in Nine Countries. Journal of Trauma Practice. 2. 10.1300/J189v02n03_03. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254381847_Prostitution_and_Trafficking_i n_Nine_Countries

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