What’s Current: The Guardian says Amnesty International should reject the full decriminalization of prostitution

The Guardian has come out against Amnesty International’s draft policy proposal supporting the decriminalization of pimps, johns, and brothel owners.

Since when did unregulated markets guarantee human rights? There is nothing intrinsically repugnant to human rights in sex work if you exclude violence, deceit and the exploitation of children. But these aren’t fringe phenomena. They are central parts of the trade in most places round the world. To take as normative the experience of protected western adults is a morally disabling form of privilege.

Esohe Aghatise, the anti-trafficking manager at Equality Now, says Amnesty’s draft policy ignores international law and “international, regional and national recommendations to target the demand that fuels sex trafficking.”

“Being in or around shared public space really seems to bring out the bigotry in people.” Fatphobia on public transit.

The feminist movement is alive and kicking in Iran.

New York City police ask rape victim if she is “a party girl.”

Note: Susan Cox is on vacation this week, because she’ll be at MICHFEST! If you’ll be there, find her and say hi. This lady: Susan Cox Headshot

Meghan Murphy

Founder & Editor

Meghan Murphy is a freelance writer and journalist from Vancouver, BC. She has been podcasting and writing about feminism since 2010 and has published work in numerous national and international publications, including The Spectator, UnHerd, Quillette, the CBC, New Statesman, Vice, Al Jazeera, The Globe and Mail, and more. Meghan completed a Masters degree in the department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University in 2012 and is now exiled in Mexico with her very photogenic dog.