Gentlemen’s clubs are the “normalisation of all that is degrading in human relations”, according to Nationalist MP Claudette Buttigieg.

Men, who feel it is their right to pay for sexual gratification, use and exploit vulnerable women to earn money, she said.

“Tell me, how different is that from prostitution?” she asked.

Proposed rules target gentlemen’s clubs, which will be classified as adult entertainment outlets under a new law piloted by the Tourism Ministry.

The regularisation of prostitution is being treated in a separate exercise that is conducted by the Reforms Parliamentary Secretariat.

Joseph Muscat wanted to promote women in politics but then chose to legislate against vulnerable women

In a tweet, Ms Buttigieg last week asked why Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi would support club owners and not vulnerable women who were victims of circumstances, including human trafficking.

Asked to elaborate, she said Malta’s “most feminist” government was pushing for the legalisation of prostitution, the least feminist and most disrespectful decision ever.

“[Prime Minister Joseph] Muscat wanted to promote women in politics and [in positions of] power but then chose to legislate against vulnerable women and in favour of powerful men who use women to make money while stripping them of their dignity and self-respect. [Minister] Konrad Mizzi wants to turn pimps into legitimate businessmen.

“All over the world, strip clubs are used for money laundering. What guarantee do we have that Malta is no different? What do we know about the women working in the clubs? How many of them are victims of human trafficking?”

Ms Buttigieg said she could not allow the government to “treat women like trash” and legitimise pimps, money laundering and human trafficking.

“We need to educate ourselves on the options in hand and work towards the Nordic model, where the victims are treated with respect and given health assistance and where buying or renting a person’s body is illegal,” she said.

“On the other hand, the German model, which seems to appeal more to our government, has turned brothels into supermarkets. Abuse of and violence on women have become rife simply because of the excuse of legality. This is what our ‘concerned’ Prime Minister is aspiring to do in our country.”

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