How can we talk about “sustainability” without also talking about an industry that sees thousands of women and girls, across the planet, exploited daily? What responsibility do governments have in terms of addressing the sex trade and what systems need to be in place in order to ensure marginalized women and girls can survive and thrive, free from abuse?
On March 17th, 2016, a panel organized by the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) asked just that. Speakers from around the world discussed the ways in which prostitution and trafficking manifested itself in their countries and the struggles they faced trying to achieve justice for the women and girls impacted. Organized as a parallel event connected to the UN’s 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the panel was moderated by Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director of CATW, and included panelists, Rachel Moran, author and co-founder of SPACE International; Ruchira Gupta, Founder and President of Apne Aap Worldwide; Eva Komba, a Gender and Development consultant from Kenya; and Yasmin Vafa, Executive Director of Rights4Girls. The event, entitled, “Economic and Sexual Barriers to Sustainable Development: Case Studies in Prostitution and Trafficking,” took place at the Salvation Army Auditorium at 221 East 52nd Street in New York City.
I don't believe that any people anywhere got out from under a system of oppression by refusing to name it –@RachelRMoran #CSW60
— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) March 17, 2016
'The difference between 17 & 18 is one day' –@yvafa #prostitution #CSW60
— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) March 17, 2016
The term 'sex worker' is not about prostituted women, it's about pimps & brothel owners – @Ruchiragupta #csw60
— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) March 17, 2016
By changing the language we can shift the blame from victim to perpetrator and stigmatize the men – @Ruchiragupta #CSW60
— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) March 17, 2016
When you think of prostitution, think of men, the abusers. –@Ruchiragupta #CSW60
— Danielle Ehioghiren (@DanielleEhio) March 17, 2016
Prostitution is the biggest affront to women on this earth – @RachelRMoran #CSW60
— Meghan Murphy (@MeghanEMurphy) March 17, 2016
Does prostitution give women agency? No, bc they they remain trapped in a cycle of violence and poverty #CSW60 pic.twitter.com/kwxJqEpOs2
— Danielle Ehioghiren (@DanielleEhio) March 17, 2016
