A United Nations (UN) report which called for legalizing prostitution as a way of preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in Asia and the Pacific was condemned on Monday by a Philippine non-government group advocating women's rights.
Gabriela, the National Alliance of Women in the Philippines, said prostitution is the "worse exploitation that can be done to women."
The UN said in its report titled "Sex Work and the Law in Asia and the Pacific" that removing legal penalties for sex work allows HIV prevention and treatment programs to reach sex workers and their clients more effectively.
"Prostitution can never by any means become a profession for women (as it violates) their rights. This UN report is widening the door for women's rights violation," said Gabriela deputy secretary general Gert Ranjo-Libang in a statement.
Libang said the UN was "naive to think" that making prostitution legal will guarantee access of those in prostitution to their basic rights.
Read more at Xinhuanet, published 22 October 2012.
A United Nations (UN) report which called for legalizing prostitution as a way of preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in Asia and the Pacific was condemned on Monday by a Philippine non-government group advocating women's rights.
Gabriela, the National Alliance of Women in the Philippines, said prostitution is the "worse exploitation that can be done to women."
The UN said in its report titled "Sex Work and the Law in Asia and the Pacific" that removing legal penalties for sex work allows HIV prevention and treatment programs to reach sex workers and their clients more effectively.
"Prostitution can never by any means become a profession for women (as it violates) their rights. This UN report is widening the door for women's rights violation," said Gabriela deputy secretary general Gert Ranjo-Libang in a statement.
Libang said the UN was "naive to think" that making prostitution legal will guarantee access of those in prostitution to their basic rights.
Read more at Xinhuanet, published 22 October 2012.