International Day of No Prostitution

International Day of No Prostitution
Observed by Anti-prostitution feminists
Date October 5
Next time 5 October 2015
Frequency annual

International Day of No Prostitution (IDNP) is an awareness day that was first observed in 2002. Locations at which IDNP was observed in its inaugural year included the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States[1] and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[2] The day is celebrated annually on October 5 as a manner of opposing prostitution.[3] In 2005, the University of the Philippines Institute of Human Rights and the Asia-Pacific chapter of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) organized an IDNP event at which they discussed the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.[4] In 2008, there was an IDNP candlelight vigil in Phoenix, Arizona.[5] The vigil took place again in 2010, and city leaders and former prostitutes were among the participants.[6] In 2010, CATW observed IDNP by opposing the decision in Bedford v. Canada to strike down Canada's anti-prostitution laws.[7] A group of former human trafficking victims and sex workers in Canada also opposed the striking down of these laws; they picketed a courthouse in downtown Toronto, Ontario in recognition of IDNP. Picketers included Natasha Falle, Trisha Baptie, Bridget Perrier, Katarina MacLeod, and Christine Barkhouse. At the protest, Falle said that "only 1% of prostitutes say they enjoy sex with johns and 97% say they want to get out."[8] Baptie asked "Why do we think it's OK for men to buy sex? How is that a sign of an egalitarian society?"[9] In 2011, People Working Against Prostitution, an organization in the Philippines, expressed their disappointment that the Cagayan de Oro city council did not host any events in recognition of IDNP.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "No Prostitution Day in Davao on October 5". Davao Today. September 30, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Talking about prostitution". Women's Health Action. December 2002. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Survivors challenge legislators on International Day of No Prostitution". Alliance of Progressive Labor. October 5, 2004. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Sex worker joins campaign vs prostitution". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 17, 2005. p. A6.
  5. ↑ "Plays and Candle Light Walk Part of Prostitution Awareness Week". East Valley Living. September 15, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Jennifer Parks (October 9, 2010). "Dignity candlelight walk raises awareness about Valley prostitution". American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  7. ↑ Norma Ramos (October 19, 2010). "Ontario To Traffickers: We're Open For Business". Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kevin Connor (October 6, 2010). "Former prostitutes picket trade". The London Free Press. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  9. ↑ Rachel Hahn (December 7, 2010). "Prostitution Far from Legal". Toro. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Women group to hold 'fun run'". Sun.Star. October 4, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2013.