Feminist perspective on sex work

Members of Concordia’s Simone de Beauvoir Institute teamed up with Stella, a community organization that advocates on behalf of sex workers, and the Feminist Alliance for Sex Workers, to respond to the Ontario Superior Court ruling that struck down Canada’s laws governing prostitution.

The point of view presented on November 2 was a marked contrast from the position put forth by the Conseil du statut de la femme.

“We believe that sex workers have the right to live and work safely, in an environment free of violence and discrimination. Yet, current laws force sex workers to work in dangerous conditions and compromise their access to police protection, which in turn, renders them even more vulnerable to violence,” they said.

Viviane Namaste, a professor at Concordia’s Simone De Beauvoir Institute, Emilie Laliberté, Stella communications director and Louise Toupin of the Université du Québec à Montréal and the Institute of Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa were among the intellectuals who signed an open letter on the matter.

•    Simone de Beauvoir Institute’s Statement: A Feminist Position on Sex Work


Related link:
•    Concordia’s Simone de Beauvoir Institute
•    Great distinction for Viviane Namaste