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Vatican Clamours For Women's Rights Against Prostitution and Demeaning Ads

VATICAN, July 12, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) -  The Vatican released a document yesterday calling for the enforcement of laws protecting women against the scourge of prostitution and trafficking.  The document, which came from the First International Meeting of Pastoral Care for the Liberation of Women of the Street, notes prostitution is "a form of modern day slavery" and adds that "sexual exploitation, prostitution and trafficking of human beings are all acts of violence against women." As such they "constitute an offence to the dignity of women and are a grave violation of basic human rights."

The meeting, which was held in Rome from June 20 to 21, was promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

"It is also important," says the document, "to advocate for effective measures against the demeaning portrayal of women in advertising." It stresses the need "to collaborate with the mass media to ensure correct communication about this problem."

"The Church has a pastoral responsibility," the document continues, "to promote the human dignity of persons exploited through prostitution and to advocate for their liberation and economic, educational and formative support. The Church must take up the defense of the legitimate rights of women," and "denounce the injustices and violence perpetrated against women wherever and in whatever circumstances this may occur."

The United States government has taken a step in the right direction with regard to the Vatican proposals.  On June 9, prior to the Vatican meeting, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) noted that US funds allotted for combating AIDS cannot be used "to promote the legalization or practice of prostitution or sex trafficking" and also that groups receiving such funds "agree that they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking." (see the policy here: http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/pdf/aapd05_04.pdf )

The measure applies to some $2.2 billion in AIDS grants and contracts for 2005 said Kent Hill, acting administrator for global health at USAID.  "Prostitution worldwide has always been connected to human rights violations, dehumanization, and organized crime," Hill said. "The vast majority of people, globally, do not find themselves there by choice."

(with files from the Vatican Information Service)

jhw

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