UN World Day of Social Justice -Trafficking and Prostitution of Women in New Zealand

Media Release 21st February 2010

The United Nations commemorates each year, Social Justice Day on 20 February. The Secretary-General said that the World Day for Social Justice comes at a pivotal moment for people and the planet, adding that this year’s commemoration focuses on the scourge of human trafficking and the plight of approximately 21 million women, men and children in various forms of modern slavery.

New Zealand, to our great shame, is allowing the trafficking and slavery of women in prostitution. Prostitution is a violation of human rights and violence against women, who are subject to assault, rape and murder. Many women are in prostitution not out of choice but through enslavement to drug and alcohol addiction. The infamous Prostitution Reform Act 2003 was passed under a Labour government that forced its caucus to vote for the bill, which passed by a margin of 60 to 59. This Act permits women over the age of 18 to be prostitutes; it allows for street prostitution. It dignifies prostitution as sex work, not only work, but a worthy career choice. Prostitutes .are now called sex workers, social engineering which seeks to place prostitution on a par with workers in other activities.

Right to Life believes that there will be no justice for women in New Zealand until we repeal the Prostitution Reform Act and proclaim that our women are not for sale.

The Act provides for men to live off the earnings of prostitution as pimps and as brothel owners. The Act infers that access to prostituted women is a fundamental human right. Right to Life believes that the Act should be repealed and replaced with the Swedish model that protects the dignity and human rights of women by outlawing prostitution and prosecuting the client of the prostitute. This model is successful in Sweden, Norway, Iceland.and Northern Ireland. Feminist organisations such as the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) and the European Women’s Lobby also promote this approach as they believe sex work contributes to violence against women through male entitlement and objectification.

It is shameful that the Prostitution Reform Act has the support of the World Health Organisation, the Family Planning Association, the National Council of Women the YWCA and Amnesty International. These organisations claim to support the interests of women. In supporting this Act they have totally betrayed the women of New Zealand and are making a public statement that our women are for sale.

Ken Orr,
Spokesperson,
Right to Life.

ENDS

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