Citation

Farley M. Womens Stud. Int. Forum 2009; 32(4): 311-315.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wsif.2009.07.001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this issue of Women's Studies International Forum it's refreshing to read Limoncelli's observation there are points of agreement between abolitionists and non-abolitionists regard- ing trafficking. There is agreement that trafficking is harmful and that it is a "gendered component of economic globaliza- tion" (Limoncelli, p 16⁎). There is no argument about how to prevent trafficking for prostitution. All agree that sex discrimi- nation, race discrimination, and economic injustice are at the root of women's inability to avoid prostitution. A solution to the problem of trafficking arising out of this consensus would be to implement programs that promote sex, race, and economic equality, offering women alternatives to prostitution.

There is also agreement that women in prostitution should not be criminalized. An abolitionist feminist approach to trafficking from the political left differs in important ways from an abolitionist approach from the political right. A critical difference is the evidence-based approach of feminists based on a broad understanding of the realities of sex, race, and economic inequality. Feminist abolitionists advocate the criminalization of buyers yet also insist on the decriminalization of women in prostitution. Abolitionists from the political right emphasize the immorality of trafficking for prostitution from a religious perspective and some would pragmatically accept arrests of women in prostitution for their own protection or in order to compel their testimony against traffickers.

Language: en