The most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of
women in the world.

Latest items for IRP-LAW-1

March 8, 2023, 1:43 p.m.
Countries: Montenegro
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"In Montenegro, engaging in prostitution is not a criminal offense, as it belong to the domain of misdemeanour liability...The possibility of punishment has been introduced if this offense has been committed by several persons in an organized manner and a definition has been given. Pandering is the use of persons for sexual activities whereby money or any other form of compensation or reward is given or promised as payment for hiring such a person to take part in sexual activities, regardless of whether the payment, promise or reward are given to that person or to a third party. A more severe punishment is stipulated for the basic form of this...more
Feb. 18, 2023, 11:08 a.m.
Countries: Malawi
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"This is despite Malawi’s robust legal framework which offers protections for women and girls against sex trafficking in its various manifestations. Malawi enacted its Trafficking in Persons Act, 2015 to make provision for the prevention and elimination of trafficking in persons including for sexual exploitation. The Act prescribes punishment of up to 14 years imprisonment for offenses involving an adult and up to 21 years imprisonment for those involving a child. The Child Care, Protection and Justice Act prescribes offenses of trafficking involving children and imposes a life sentence." (Para.2).
Feb. 4, 2023, 6:14 p.m.
Countries: Namibia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Although prostitution is illegal in Namibia, sex workers are still protected under various Laws such as the Combating of Rape Act, Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act. Sex workers like any other person residing in Namibia, have unlimited access to crucial Governmental services such as legal, health, psychosocial support and other Social services." (26).
Feb. 4, 2023, 6:05 p.m.
Countries: Italy
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Under Italian law, selling sex is legal, but pimping is not, and one expert said he suspected pimps were lurking behind a lot of the women advertising sex online. 'Are these women placing the ads on these sites, or is someone doing it for them? How do we know? Is there a filter?' said Fabio Sorgoni, the head of anti-trafficking at charity On the Road." (para 22-23).
July 6, 2022, 10:35 a.m.
Countries: Djibouti
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The Criminal Code of the Republic of Djibouti contains provisions that punish trafficking in women and girls. The acts covered include offences against public morality: prostitution, incitement to debauchery and prostitution, indecent assault and rape (in the case of rape, the penalties are very severe and act as a deterrent)" (15).
June 29, 2022, 11:33 a.m.
Countries: Indonesia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The Committee notes with concern: (a) The exploitation of women and girls in prostitution in the State party, including during the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) The social stigma and widespread discrimination and violence experienced by women in prostitution, including transgender women; (c) The lack of measures taken to decriminalize women exploited in prostitution in several parts of the State party" (9).
June 7, 2022, 10:47 a.m.
Countries: China
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"In China, prostitution is illegal" (29).
May 30, 2022, 9:08 p.m.
Countries: Switzerland
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"On the basis of the results of the 2012 consultation procedure and the 2014 experts’ report, the Federal Council decided, on 22 October 2014, to abolish the status of cabaret dancer and, at the same time, to introduce a number of support measures to protect women working in the sex industry. Abolition of the status will be compensated for by various protective measures for women" (14).
May 27, 2022, 11:45 a.m.
Countries: Serbia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law prohibits commercial sexual exploitation of children, to include selling, offering, or procuring for prostitution" (28).
May 16, 2022, 8:09 p.m.
Countries: Suriname
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"With regard to trafficking in women and minors, the Penal Code has been revised in 2006. As a direct result both sexes are protected against trafficking while the penalties have been extended, especially when victims who are minors are involved. Forced prostitution is now punishable and is related to trafficking in persons" (8-9). "With regard to sexual crimes, the Penal Code has been revised in 2009. Rape within marriage and common law union, rape of men, child pornography, youth prostitution (from the age of sixteen to eighteen), among others, have been penalized. The penalties have also been extended" (9). "The National Assembly approved the revision of the Moral Law (as...more
April 29, 2022, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Russia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The Committee recommends that the State party:... [r]evise article 6.11 of the Code of Administrative Offences to decriminalize women in prostitution and adopt measures to ensure the protection of women in prostitution against gender-based violence, abuse and exploitation, including by the police" (8). This indicates that prostitution is illegal (SFR - CODER COMMENT).
March 28, 2022, 8:57 p.m.
Countries: Latvia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law provides for protection of children against violence, exploitation, sexual abuse, involvement in prostitution, and serious threats to the life... Violation of the law is punishable by imprisonment, community service, or a fine and supervised probation for a period of up to three years" (13). "The law prohibits the commercial sexual exploitation of children, the sale of children, offering or procuring a child for prostitution" (14).
March 25, 2022, 8:54 p.m.
Countries: United Arab Emirates
Variables: IRP-LAW-1, DSFMF-LAW-1

"Sharia (Islamic) courts, which adjudicate criminal and family law cases, may impose flogging as punishment for adultery, prostitution, consensual premarital sex, pregnancy outside marriage, defamation of character, and drug or alcohol charges. Reports of flogging were rare and tended to be confined to only a few jurisdictions" (3).
March 9, 2022, 8:57 a.m.
Countries: Italy
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law prohibits pimping, brothels, and similar commercial enterprises. In conformity with article 3 of Act No. 75 of February 20, 1958, being in force, the exploitation and the abetting of prostitution are to be considered as crimes" (43). "At the end of the year 2008, the Council of Ministers approved Bill (A.S. 1079) containing 'Measures against the prostitution'... The crime of prostitution in public places or in a place open to the public has been introduced; and the arrest from five to fifteen days with a fine from 200,00 to 3000, and 00 Euros is provided for whoever offers sexual performances or for whoever requests it....Whoever is prostituted, by...more
Feb. 23, 2022, 3:02 p.m.
Countries: Senegal
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Procuring a minor for commercial sexual exploitation is punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years and a fine of 300,000 to four million CFA francs ($500 to $6,800). If the crime involves a victim younger than 13, the maximum penalty is applied" (17).
Feb. 11, 2022, 5:23 p.m.
Countries: Romania
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law also criminalizes sexual corruption of minors (which includes subjecting minors to sexual acts other than intercourse or forcing minors to perform such acts), luring minors for sexual purposes or child prostitution, and trafficking in minors. Pimping and pandering that involve minors increase sentences by one-half" (24-25).
Feb. 11, 2022, 5 p.m.
Countries: Thailand
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law provides heavy penalties for persons who procure, lure, compel, or threaten children younger than 18 for the purpose of prostitution, with higher penalties for persons who purchase sexual intercourse with a child younger than 15. Authorities may punish parents who allow a child to enter into prostitution and revoke their parental rights" (35). "The law also imposes heavy penalties on persons convicted of sexually exploiting persons younger than 18, including for pimping" (35).
Jan. 24, 2022, 1:07 p.m.
Countries: India
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"It is illegal to pay for sex with a minor, to induce a minor into prostitution or any form of 'illicit sexual intercourse,' or to sell or buy a minor for the purposes of prostitution. Violators are subject to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine" (50).
Jan. 15, 2022, 6:54 p.m.
Countries: Croatia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law prohibits commercial sexual exploitation of children; the sale, offering, or procuring of a child for prostitution; and child pornography, and authorities enforced the law. Amendments to the Penal Code which entered into force in January provided stricter penalties for the sexual exploitation of children" (15).
Jan. 8, 2022, 9:32 p.m.
Countries: Morocco
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law prohibits commercial sexual exploitation, sale, offering or procuring for prostitution, and practices related to child pornography. Penalties for sexual exploitation of children under the criminal code range from two years’ to life imprisonment and fines from 9,550 dirhams ($1,000) to 344,000 dirhams ($36,100)" (33).
Jan. 6, 2022, 12:09 p.m.
Countries: Somalia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Prostiution is illegal in Somalia" (1).
Jan. 4, 2022, 11:45 p.m.
Countries: Australia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law provides a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment for commercial sexual exploitation of children and was effectively enforced" (13).
Dec. 10, 2021, 5:27 p.m.
Countries: Russia
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law prohibits the commercial sexual exploitation, sale, offering, or procuring for prostitution, and practices related to child pornography" (57).
Nov. 17, 2021, 8:27 p.m.
Countries: Singapore
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Authorities may detain (but generally do not prosecute) persons younger than 18 whom they believe to be engaged in prostitution. They prosecute those who organize or profit from prostitution, bring women or girls to the country for prostitution, or coerce or deceive women or girls into prostitution" (24).
Nov. 10, 2021, 10:14 p.m.
Countries: Cuba
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law allows for 'preventive detention' for up to four years of individuals not charged with an actual crime, based on a subjective determination of 'precriminal dangerousness,' which is defined as the 'special proclivity of a person to commit crimes, demonstrated by conduct in manifest contradiction of socialist norms.' Mostly used as a tool to control 'antisocial' behaviors, such as substance abuse or prostitution" (6). "In trials where defendants are charged with “precriminal dangerousness” (see section 1.d.), the state must show only that the defendant has 'proclivity' for crime, so an actual criminal act need not have occurred. Penalties may be up to four years in prison. Authorities normally applied...more
Nov. 8, 2021, 2:18 p.m.
Countries: Spain
Variables: IRP-LAW-1, IRP-LAW-5

"The penalty for recruiting children or persons with disabilities into prostitution is imprisonment from one to five years. The penalty for subjecting children to prostitution is imprisonment from four to six years" (17).
Oct. 25, 2021, 2:40 p.m.
Countries: Vietnam
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Sentences for those convicted [of child exploitation] range from three years’ to life imprisonment, and fines range from five million to 50 million VND ($220 to $2,200). The law specifies prison sentences for conviction of acts related to the exploitation of children in prostitution, including harboring prostitution (12 to 20 years), brokering prostitution (seven to 15 years), and buying sex with minors (three to 15 years)" (32).
Oct. 18, 2021, 6:06 p.m.
Countries: France
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"There are laws against child abuse, including against... child prostitution, and child pornography. The government actively worked to combat child abuse. Penalties are generally severe" (22).
Sept. 29, 2021, 9:33 a.m.
Countries: Mali
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"...The country has a statutory rape law that defines 18 as the minimum age for consensual sex. The law, which was inconsistent with the legal minimum marriage age of 15 for girls, was not enforced. Sexual exploitation of children occurred. The Division for Protection of Children and Morals of the National Police conducted sweeps of brothels to assure that individuals in prostitution were of legal age and arrested brothel owners found to be holding underage girls. Between January and April, 60 percent of the more than 1,000 victims of gender-based violence (including rape, sexual assault, and physical and psychosocial violence) were girls" (26). Brothel owners were punished for holding underage...more
Sept. 25, 2021, 9:48 p.m.
Countries: Czech Republic
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"The law prohibits commercial sexual exploitation of children" (17).