The Council of Women is concerned over the proposed debate on the regularisation and decriminalisation of prostitution.

In a statement, it reiterated its position that such a law would be “a confirmation that women are considered a commodity and that women’s sexual favours are there for the taking as long as one pays”.

This “worst form of degradation” of women is “totally unacceptable” to the National Council of Women.

The NCW believes respecting women's dignity and human rights should translate into practice through a holistic, inter-ministerial approach in cooperation with NGOs. The programme should offer the services of professionals such as social workers, psychologists, medical practitioners, nurses and legal advisors.

It should take into account their different circumstances and provide support, social and health services, education and training and incentives for job opportunities while assisting women to “get out of the trap of ‘traditional’ prostitution rings”.

The Council of Women believes Malta should adopt the Swedish model, which criminalises the user. Current Maltese law prohibits loitering, soliciting for sex and living from the proceeds thereof.

The NCW insisted that traditional prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation required different legal measures and law enforcement, and for a number of years, it has been urging different government administrations to address these two degrading practices separately.

“It is a shame that in the case of the latter, so little, if anything, has been done in practice. What legal protection is offered to these young women?

“It is an embarrassment to our political parties that the Council of Europe has so harshly criticised Malta for the lack of the implementation of the Convention on Trafficking of Women for Sexual Exploitation.”

The NCW called for stronger law enforcement and condemned any attempt to change Malta’s legislation and decriminalise the sale of sexual favours.