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

Latest items for IRP-PRACTICE-5

Aug. 28, 2024, 10:51 a.m.
Countries: Rwanda
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Chantal doesn't know all of the 18 women who were killed over the few weeks between July and August 2012, or the two women murdered last year, but she was very close to one of the victims, who was her neighbour. She speaks fondly of her, and then proceeds to tell us how she and her colleagues fear becoming the next victims...'No one cares about prostitutes,' she says. 'Everyone is worried, we ask ourselves day after day, will it be me tomorrow?'" (para 4-5). "In November 2012, Rwandan media reported that police had arrested eight suspects in relation to the killings. According to the National Public Prosecution Authority one man...more
Aug. 26, 2024, 1:17 p.m.
Countries: Panama
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

“'I was raped. There was a captain who always came looking for me. He would take me in his patrol car to the Ancón hilltop [a Panama City neighborhood], and we would have sexual intercourse. After a while, it became this kind of game for him, to come pick me up and have sex with me'” (para 2). "A nationwide survey of 317 sex workers published in December 2017 shows the scale of the problem. The majority of respondents claimed to have been extorted by security forces, and nearly half said that officers requested free sexual services from them. A third said that they had been threatened with a firearm,...more
Aug. 26, 2024, 12:57 p.m.
Countries: Malaysia
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"'However, it is no longer a secret that these immoral activities are occurring. Some areas, like Pudu and certain streets such as Lorong Haji Taib, are even recognised as prostitution hotspots.'...He added is was disheartening that some individuals are willing to accept bribes from prostitution syndicates, effectively turning a blind eye to these activities."
Aug. 26, 2024, 12:41 p.m.
Countries: Chile
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"As part of this sector, sex workers face the great limbo of the legal status of sex work in Chile: it is not prohibited, but it is not recognized as work either. Persecution is concentrated in the places where it is practiced. Herminda González, president of Fundación Margen, tells me that this option leaves only one option for the workers: the streets. From that place, the Fundación provides the assistance that the State does not provide" (para 3). "However, in any situation that meant not being able to work, the girls were completely unprotected, as they were not covered by any of the government schemes designed to protect workers recognized...more
Aug. 25, 2024, 6 p.m.
Countries: Belgium
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"'This victory is symbolic, as it sends out a message of respect for our profession,' said Verstappen with satisfaction. 'But the enforcement of the law still runs up against discrimination, which prevents us from changing things.' For her, the next challenge is to open up attitudes. 'Prostitution has never gotten good press,' she says, delicately. 'But this law has the merit of allowing sex workers to come out of the closet, to be more at ease in a society that can show itself to be very moralistic'" (para 4).
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:48 p.m.
Countries: Kenya
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Some sex workers who spoke to The Nairobian revealed that some of them are forced to bribe crooked officers with a quickie whenever they get arrested. The police however say they are not aware of such cases. 'They (authorities) always ask for sexual favours when they arrest us. Sometimes, we give in because we do not have the money to bribe them,' Grace says. 'Also when we are assaulted by clients and when we report the cases, police officers say that it is part of our job so there is nothing to report.'"
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:47 p.m.
Countries: Guatemala
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Sex work regulations were found to have health-related benefits (e.g., access to HIV/STI testing) as well as negative impacts, such as abuse by police and harassment, detention/deportation of migrant sex workers."
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:46 p.m.
Countries: Greece
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Police in Athens frequently harass and abuse homeless people, people who use drugs, and sex workers, Human Rights Watch said today (para 1). 'Women sex workers' would also be targeted, although sex work is not illegal. The new plan raises concerns that without the necessary reforms, longstanding police practices – including physical abuse, discrimination, arbitrary detention, and harassment – will continue, Human Rights Watch said (para 5)."
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:45 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

“Moreover, the police are entrusted with the implementation of laws that protect victims of prostitution, even though police officers are directly linked to the establishment of prostitution in Algeria.” (3)
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:44 p.m.
Countries: Bhutan
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) said that they have not received any formal complaint on such a matter, however, they are arrested one girl, who was also supposed to be a pimp, a few years ago as she was involved in drug case. It was learnt that SW now operate professionally with trusted list of clients who can ensure their safety. They are not as open as they used to be in the past years. 'We used to get information on sex workers in the past, but now, it has become difficult for us to even know who they are or how they are operating. They have become so professional now,'...more
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:43 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Making the list of the Top Ten "Sin Cities"; around the world may not be good news for Manama, Bahrain's capital, as police launched a crackdown on prostitutes in the city last week following its listing by a Western men's magazine as the party hub of the Middle East for its vibrant sex and alcohol industry. Police in Bahrain rounded up 300 prostitutes and pimps in Manama last week as Bahraini religious authorities called for a crackdown campaign on debauchery after the capital made the cut as the eighth most sinful--and the only Arab--city in the world according to Askmen.com, which dubbed Manama "the party oasis of the Middle East."...more
Aug. 21, 2024, 3:41 p.m.
Countries: Latvia
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"In Latvia prostitution is mainly concentrated in Riga. Riga Municipal Police press –representative Toms Sadovskis explained prostitution prevention rules are generally not complied with on streets. Most of the time women engage in prostitution, but there are also some men as well. Although from 1 July onward there will no longer be a mechanism for application of penalties for violation of prostitution limitation rules, restrictions will remain in force regardless. Police continue monitoring locations in which violations were previously spotted. Police also search for solutions to monitor order in the city more efficiently, explained Sadovskis. Nevertheless, control over restrictions without sanctions provided by the law is like running a marathon...more
Aug. 14, 2024, 4:04 p.m.
Countries: Lithuania
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"It is reported that sex work law enforcement is connected to organised crime and entwined with human trafficking networks. Laws preventing girls from sexual exploitation are poorly enforced...Law enforcement is weak and the sex industry is not as constricted by these laws as it could be."
July 15, 2024, 3:45 p.m.
Countries: South Sudan
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"In South Sudan, sex work, along with running or owning a brothel, living off the earnings of 'prostitution,' and enticing a woman into 'prostitution' are criminalized. And yet the trade, which includes hundreds of foreign and local women, has continued to grow" (para 4). "The video posted by South Sudanese officials also announced that 40 other people, mainly women accused of witchcraft or sex work, had been arrested. Three of these women reported being subjected to forced HIV tests at Juba central prison. Others were issued sentences of 6 months or fines of 50,000 South Sudanese pounds (400USD) and released" (para 6).
July 9, 2024, 9:23 a.m.
Countries: Swaziland
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"He mention that nowhere in The SODV Act does it mention any criminality of sex work. Masuku said back in the day’s police will successfully arrest and charge sex workers on the old act, which allowed police to arrest people for loitering for the purposes of prostitution" (para 5). "With the recent legislations police have found it hard to charge people for the loitering for the purpose of prostitution. The SODV act has abolished the old act, which was seen a barrier to freedom of movement especially for females" (para 6). "As written in the booklet, the offence violates sex workers right because it places responsibility to a person accused...more
July 9, 2024, 8:28 a.m.
Countries: Switzerland
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Sex workers must register with the local canton (state) and, while requirements vary, condoms are mandatory. But despite being legal, many find themselves in danger" (para 10). "In 2014 a Swiss financier, named only as Robert S, murdered a Polish sex worker in a £560-a-night hotel room in Zurich before stuffing her body in his wine fridge. He was later jailed for 17 years" (para 11).
July 9, 2024, 8:20 a.m.
Countries: Ireland
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Research carried out by Amnesty International warned legislation implemented in 2017 was driving sex workers to put their lives at risk in a desperate bid to dodge the police... The leading human rights organisation accused authorities of misusing the law, which was billed as being created to stop human trafficking and exploitation of sex workers" (para 2-3). "Ireland criminalised the buying of sex and substantially bolstered penalties dished out for brothel-keeping – which is defined as two or more sex workers operating from the same property" (para 4). "The new research, based on interviews with sex workers, found most had been subjected to violence from clients while doing their jobs....more
July 9, 2024, 8:19 a.m.
Countries: Ireland
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"The Garda National Protective Services Bureau has formally established Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit, to police all aspects of organised criminality within the sex trade, including the enforcement of legislation criminalising the purchase of sexual services" (para 1). "The establishment of this specialised unit reinforces An Garda Síochána’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, including victims of human trafficking involved in prostitution in Ireland. This will be achieved by, tackling crime gangs involved in organisation prostitution, by targeting the demand for prostitution and by safeguarding those persons trafficked for sexual exploitation" (para 3). "The Unit, have been actively targeting organised prostitution and brothel keeping. For example a 44 year old male and...more
July 9, 2024, 8:08 a.m.
Countries: Italy
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"In Italy, prostitution is legal, but pimping and brothels are not – but to add to the complexity, regions and municipalities are allowed to enforce their own regulations, as long as they do not ban the practice. Salerno, for example, decided to fine women who wear “revealing dresses” €500 to attempt to stymie street prostitution. Rome, on the other hand, created a red light district in 2015. Florence adopted the Nordic model and banned the purchase of sexual services, and cracked down hard on brothels" (para 16).
July 9, 2024, 8:07 a.m.
Countries: Japan
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Coming on the heels of the hottest September in recorded history, October 2023 will be remembered as the month when the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department launched the biggest crackdown on prostitution in recent memory, snaring no fewer than 80 streetwalkers" (para 1). "There are cops around, but mostly they just ask the woman her age (to make sure she's not a minor). It's illegal but it's not penalized so it doesn't work to discourage the practice. If there were penalties, nobody would come here, myself included. As long as girls are around to sell their services, my conscience doesn't bother me" (para 4). "Wakabayashi points out that in the case...more
July 9, 2024, 8:06 a.m.
Countries: Kazakhstan
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"More than 40 girls from the website Kizdar.net were taken to the Astana police, reports the press service of the city police department. 'Employees of the Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Astana Police Department on an ongoing basis carry out operational and preventive measures aimed at identifying persons providing premises for prostitution, as well as persons providing intimate services in the capital. Thus, during the operation, saunas, body massage parlors, and apartments where intimate services were provided, published through the website Kizdar.net, were inspected. 43 girls were taken to the police,' said the report" (para 1-2).
July 8, 2024, 10:06 a.m.
Countries: Kyrgyzstan
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"'I found several women who said they were afraid of going to the police because the police often extort money from these girls,' Aleksandra Titova, a journalist at the Kyrgyz news site Kloop who has reported extensively on Kyrgyzstan’s webcam industry, told Radio Azattyk" (para 13). "Kyrgyz police regularly report raids on what they call "porn studios," resulting in small fines for the women and the camera operators present" (para 35).
July 8, 2024, 10:05 a.m.
Countries: Laos
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Police near Vientiane found 47 sex workers – including four girls under 18 years old – during a raid of nightclubs, restaurants and karaoke bars that was prompted by complaints from local residents" (para 1). "It was unclear if those detained in the raids would face charges. It was also unknown whether any establishment owners were arrested" (para 6). “'The rest belong to the Chinese,' he said. 'If Lao venues stay open later than midnight, they will be fined right away or ordered to be shut down. But if Chinese venues stay open until dawn, they’ll never get fined. And it’s OK for them to provide sex service too'" (para...more
July 8, 2024, 10:04 a.m.
Countries: Latvia
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Bole also referenced the number of people punished for violations in this field – in 2018 in 53 cases persons were administratively punished, 67 private persons and one legal person were punished for prostitution" (para 13).
July 3, 2024, 3:22 p.m.
Countries: Lebanon
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"It is not illegal to work as a licensed prostitute but seeing as the government has not issued any such licences since the 1970s, those working as prostitutes are vulnerable to being arrested and punished" (para 7). "Despite the media uproar surrounding the case, the owner of the brothel, a Lebanese businessman, was soon released on bail. Hearings into the case have been postponed multiple times and, three years on, the trial is only just about to begin" (para 20).
July 3, 2024, 3:18 p.m.
Countries: Lesotho
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"However, sex work is mostly mistaken for prostitution, as thus, the state through its police institutions arbitrarily arrest sex workers without any intention of trial due to lack of supporting laws" (para 1).
July 3, 2024, 3:17 p.m.
Countries: Lesotho
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"However, the sad part is that for the years she has been on the streets of Maseru selling sex, she has been experiencing physical and sexual abuse from her customers who at times refuse to pay for the services she would have rendered. Some of these customers are police officers who are mostly deployed to the streets for night patrols" (para 4). "Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, she said sex workers were scared to report any kind of abuse especially rape because, perpetrators include police officers who instead threaten to arrest them. She says in the few instances that they report the abuse, nothing is done in the...more
July 3, 2024, 3:04 p.m.
Countries: Liberia
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"Prostitution is not a legal act in Liberia; the government has tried and is still trying to curtail the act but all efforts seem fruitless as the act continues to be on the rise. The police periodically patrol and raid places that play host to prostitution, but offenders regroup in other areas and most times, after a while, return to the very place they were run out of from" (para 5).
July 3, 2024, 3:02 p.m.
Countries: Madagascar
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"In its submission to the panel, the civil society group ECPAT International, explained that child prostitution 'has become trivialized in Madagascar and is conducted openly in bars, nightclubs, massage salons and hotel establishments'" (para 6).
July 3, 2024, 2:59 p.m.
Countries: Malawi
Variables: IRP-PRACTICE-5

"In the context of Malawi, there is no law that expressly criminalises sex work or prevents sex workers from living on their earnings. Despite this, sex workers routinely face basic civil rights violations by the Malawi Police Services" (para 2). "Sex workers in Malawi have routinely complained of being targeted in police sweeping exercises where police conduct mass arrests using petty offence laws such as those of being idle and disorderly. Once in custody, sex workers have a deep fear of being subjected to what is perceived as normal by the very people tasked with the duty to protect them, which is sexual abuse, harassment, intimidation or corruption – where...more