DOI: 10.5176/2251-3809_LRPP18.44
Authors: Venus C. Velasco
Abstract:
Poverty had been a long time problem in many countries in Asia like the Philippines. The corollary effects of poverty need to be considered for scrutiny. One of those is sex trade or prostitution, which was the immediate relief from poverty among marginalized sectors of the population. Various groups have initiated efforts at amending provisions of the Revised Penal Code or Republic Act No. 3815, particularly Articles 202 and 341 which sought to decriminalize women, men and even the Transgender groups who engage in the sex trade. Women’s groups, however, believe that decriminalizing prostitution is not the solution but was merely a “band-aid” or a temporary relief neglecting to address societal problems. What is the best government solution? The problem of sex trade needs to be analyzed with an integrated approach. The protection of morals and social order and upholding of human rights are governmental functions, but the right to livelihood of every person has to be respected. As such, equal access to economic opportunities must be an aim to alleviate mass selling of human flesh.
Keywords: prostitution, HIV, AIDS, sex, sex trade
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