During the event, representatives of the Government and civil society discussed proposals included in the Roadmap for Implementing CEDAW/2020 Recommendations on Strengthening the Rights of Commercial Sex Workers. Additionally, the results of the national awareness campaign "Beyond Appearances" were presented.
The topics addressed focused on universal human rights, such as the right to work and freely choose one's workplace, the right to social protection, the right not to be subjected to violence and exploitation, the right not to be discriminated against, and the right to free movement, among others.
Felicia Bechtoldt, State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, stated: "Considering that many individuals who engage in paid sexual services find themselves in difficult economic situations and more, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection advocates for discouraging this activity without labeling it a crime. Our priority is to focus on assisting commercial sex workers from the perspective of preventing the vulnerabilities that have led them to such activities."
The event was organized in the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Sex Workers, commemorated annually on December 17, by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Center for Health Policies and Services Analysis, UNAIDS Moldova, and UNFPA Moldova.
Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
