The main scope of the presentation on trafficking in women is to outline the main theoretical perspectives of feminists on prostitution generally and prostitution in the context of sex-trafficking. The presentation will consider some states to examine their legal provisions regulating prostitution (Israel, Sweden and the Netherlands) and then it will focus on the international instruments covering trafficking in women. The position of the UN office for Drugs and Crime in combating human trafficking will be examined too. Lastly, the conclusion will be drawn from the consideration of the dichotomy of forced and voluntary prostitution in context with trafficking.
Table of Contents
1. The scope of the presentation on the trafficking in women
2. Theoretical and policy perspectives of feminists on prostitution generally and on the prostitution in context of trafficking in women
2.1 Structuralist perspective
2.2 Individualist perspective
3. The negatives and positives of abolitionism (structuralist approach) and individualism (legalization) towards prostitution and the trafficking in practice of Sweden, the Netherlands, and Israel
3.1 Sweden
3.2 The Netherlands
3.3 Israel
4. International instruments on prostitution/trafficking in women
5. The position of the United Nations office on drugs and crime
6. The dichotomy between the forced and the voluntary prostitution
7. Conclusion
Research Objective and Key Themes
This paper examines the theoretical and policy-based feminist debates surrounding prostitution and its relationship to human trafficking. The primary research objective is to analyze how different legal approaches—specifically abolitionist and individualist frameworks—influence the regulation of sex work and the protection of individuals from trafficking, while evaluating the effectiveness of international instruments and United Nations policies in addressing this global issue.
- Comparison of Structuralist vs. Individualist feminist perspectives on prostitution.
- Case studies on the legal approaches of Sweden, the Netherlands, and Israel.
- Critical review of international conventions regarding forced versus voluntary prostitution.
- Assessment of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) strategies against human trafficking.
- Analysis of the "voluntary vs. forced" dichotomy and its impact on the human rights of sex workers.
Excerpt from the Book
Structuralist perspective
(represented by radical approaches of Catherine McKinnon, Andrea Dworkin and Kathleen Barry) endorses the view of prostitution as modern-day-slavery and submission of woman to man. As stated by McKinnon (1993) “women are prostituted precisely in order to be degraded and subjected to cruel and brutal treatment without human limits”.(p.13) Thus, such a view necessarily considers prostitution as a form of trafficking in women where the consent of the woman as a “victim” to the prostitution is not important. In her book, Kathleen Barry carries out the view of the prostitution as form of slavery, well documented by the physical and psychological abuse and domination which fit to the definition of slavery. The structuralist perspective (abolitionist approach) is represented by feminist organisation such as Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (hereinafter CATW) which denies the acceptance of prostitution as sex-work and prostitute as sex-worker with all rights applicable to her as to the employee. According to Janice Raymond of CATW, “if women in prostitution are counted as workers, pimps as businessmen, and buyers as customers, then governments can abdicate responsibility for making decent and sustainable employment available to women.” The important element of such concept is the responsibility of the state to support the education and to enhance the employment opportunities for women to ensure their worth and moral status. Structuralist approach thus not only suppresses the realisation of the individual self determination of a woman and her choice to decide over her body but also further sets the state into the position of being the “social worker” responsible for a woman’s well-being and her moral status.
Summary of Chapters
1. The scope of the presentation on the trafficking in women: Provides an overview of the paper's aim to analyze feminist perspectives on prostitution, legal provisions in selected states, and international anti-trafficking instruments.
2. Theoretical and policy perspectives of feminists on prostitution generally and on the prostitution in context of trafficking in women: Outlines the core ideological divide between the structuralist perspective, which views all prostitution as slavery, and the individualist perspective, which supports self-determination and labor rights for sex workers.
3. The negatives and positives of abolitionism (structuralist approach) and individualism (legalization) towards prostitution and the trafficking in practice of Sweden, the Netherlands, and Israel: Evaluates the real-world impact of different regulatory models by comparing the Swedish abolitionist model with the Dutch legalization approach and the hybrid system in Israel.
4. International instruments on prostitution/trafficking in women: Traces the evolution of international legal frameworks from 1910 to 2003, highlighting how these documents address the role of consent in defining human trafficking.
5. The position of the United Nations office on drugs and crime: Details the global efforts led by the UNODC to implement anti-trafficking protocols and reports on the statistical incidence of trafficking routes and destination countries.
6. The dichotomy between the forced and the voluntary prostitution: Discusses the postmodern critique of the forced/voluntary distinction, arguing that this binary approach can stigmatize sex workers and potentially limit their access to human rights protections.
7. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, suggesting that while international protocols offer a compromise, future efforts should focus on securing practical labor status for sex workers through international institutions like the ILO.
Keywords
Trafficking in women, Prostitution, Structuralist perspective, Individualist perspective, Abolitionism, Legalization, Human rights, Consent, UNODC, Forced labor, Sex work, Feminist theory, Self-determination, Sexual exploitation, Human trafficking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the intersection of feminist theory, prostitution, and human trafficking, specifically analyzing how these are regulated at both the national and international levels.
What are the primary theoretical frameworks discussed?
The paper contrasts the structuralist (abolitionist) approach, which views prostitution as inherently exploitative, with the individualist (liberal) approach, which advocates for the labor rights and self-determination of sex workers.
What is the central research question?
The work investigates whether the prevailing dichotomy between forced and voluntary prostitution is beneficial for the effective regulation of human trafficking and the protection of the individuals involved.
Which methods are utilized to address these issues?
The study employs a comparative policy analysis, examining legal provisions in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Israel, alongside a critical review of historical and contemporary international instruments and UN reports.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover feminist theories, case studies of national legislation, an analysis of international conventions from 1910 to 2001, and an evaluation of the UNODC’s global response to organized crime and trafficking.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is best defined by terms such as human trafficking, structuralist vs. individualist perspectives, sex work, consent, and international legal instruments.
How does the paper view the Swedish legal model?
The paper describes the Swedish model as a strict abolitionist approach that criminalizes the purchase of sex, which supporters claim reduces prostitution, while critics argue it drives the industry underground and worsens conditions for sex workers.
What does the author conclude regarding the "voluntary vs. forced" dichotomy?
The author concludes that while this dichotomy attempts to distinguish victims, it often proves counterproductive as it can deny human rights protections to those who voluntarily choose sex work, suggesting a shift toward labor recognition is needed.
- Citation du texte
- Alena Angelovicova (Auteur), 2006, Trafficking in women , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74762
