Securing rights and needs for women and girls affected by prostitution under COVID-19

Partners of the campaign Brussels’ Call: Together for a Europe Free from Prostitution call on all European Institutions and Member States to take action now to support all those affected by prostitution through all lockdown and de-confinement measures.

Statement June 2020: see "News" for full text

Peace and injustice against women are uncommon bedfellows, for peace cannot lie in the presence of injustice for long before arising in defiance.

R. Evon Benson-Idahosa, Founder/Executive Director at Pathfinders Justice Initiative, Inc.

Prostitution is one of the most violent forms of exploitation. It is inseparable from the social condition of women. Emancipating women from that violence is a matter of dignity, human rights and social justice. 

S. Pereira, Member of the European Parliament

Prostitution is not about work, it is not about sex. This is why, thinking about women in prostitution, I cannot think about their rights at work, I have to think about their rights as human beings.  Their right to dignity, their right to bodily integrity, their right to live a life free of violence. A life society is systematically denying them, which we, as feminists, cannot accept any longer.

M. Noichl, Member of the European Parliament

There are many reasons why we need to eradicate sexual exploitation and the system of prostitution. One fundamental reason is that sexual exploitation and the system of prostitution. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Eradicating the system of prostitution is one of the most important human rights issues of our time. How are we ever going to stop men’s violence against women, enhance gender equality, combat human trafficking and achieve the goals in Agenda 2030 if buying sex is legal?

Per-Anders Sunesson, Ambassador at Large for combating human trafficking, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden

If we want true equality in our societies, we can't accept that men are allowed to buy women, men and children for sexual exploitation. Prostitution is a form of gender based violence that should have been eradicated many years ago.

M. Björk, Member of the European Parliament

Sexual exploitation and prostitution mean violence and inequality. Women are exposed to severe physical and psychological violence and great risks of death. There is no way to make it safe, eradicating prostitution is essential.

I. Tolleret, Member of the European Parliament 

Securing rights and needs for women and girls affected by prostitution under COVID-19

Partners of the campaign Brussels’ Call: Together for a Europe Free from Prostitution call on all European Institutions and Member States to take action now to support all those affected by prostitution through all lockdown and de-confinement measures.

Statement June 2020: see "News" for full text

Peace and injustice against women are uncommon bedfellows, for peace cannot lie in the presence of injustice for long before arising in defiance.

R. Evon Benson-Idahosa, Founder/Executive Director at Pathfinders Justice Initiative, Inc.

Prostitution is one of the most violent forms of exploitation. It is inseparable from the social condition of women. Emancipating women from that violence is a matter of dignity, human rights and social justice. 

S. Pereira, Member of the European Parliament

Prostitution is not about work, it is not about sex. This is why, thinking about women in prostitution, I cannot think about their rights at work, I have to think about their rights as human beings.  Their right to dignity, their right to bodily integrity, their right to live a life free of violence. A life society is systematically denying them, which we, as feminists, cannot accept any longer.

M. Noichl, Member of the European Parliament

There are many reasons why we need to eradicate sexual exploitation and the system of prostitution. One fundamental reason is that sexual exploitation and the system of prostitution. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Eradicating the system of prostitution is one of the most important human rights issues of our time. How are we ever going to stop men’s violence against women, enhance gender equality, combat human trafficking and achieve the goals in Agenda 2030 if buying sex is legal?

Per-Anders Sunesson, Ambassador at Large for combating human trafficking, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden

If we want true equality in our societies, we can't accept that men are allowed to buy women, men and children for sexual exploitation. Prostitution is a form of gender based violence that should have been eradicated many years ago.

M. Björk, Member of the European Parliament

Sexual exploitation and prostitution mean violence and inequality. Women are exposed to severe physical and psychological violence and great risks of death. There is no way to make it safe, eradicating prostitution is essential.

I. Tolleret, Member of the European Parliament