Anti-Prostitution Speech

Prostitution has always been known to society and supported by some. It is a - branch of the sex industry. Prostitution is the act of “selling” one’s self to provide sexual services in exchange of payment. Prostitution is known to be “the world’s oldest profession”. According to the New American Bible, prostitutes existed even in Jesus’ time. In fact, Mary Magdalene and Rahab were prostitutes from the Old Testament. Aside from that, ancient sources from Herodotus say that the Sumerians used to practice “sacred prostitution”. During the Middle Ages, prostitution was tolerated even by the Roman Catholic Church with hopes that it would help reduce crime rates. (McCall, 1979) There is no doubt that prostitution is still an issue today. It happens globally, and has even been made legal in some countries. Since people continue to support it, sex tourism emerged in the 20th century. Why should prostitution not be tolerated nor legalized in the Philippines?

Prostitution is bound to have consequences. It has always been associated with illegal and immoral activities. It deprives women from their rights. How would women be treated with honor and respect if they work as prostitutes? Prostitution abuses women, some are tricked into entering the job. Women are treated poorly, they lose their dignity and self respect trying to earn from prostitution. Is that how we want Filipino women to end up like? To be thought of as vulnerable? Prostitution promotes human trafficking. In 2009 the United Nations declared that 79% of human trafficking cases are for prostitution. Aside from that it also promotes sexual slavery, exploitation, pedophilia, drug dealing and illegal immigration. In 2005, GABRIELA assessed that there are about 400,000 prostitutes in the Philippines including males, transvestites, females and children. (Sabundayo, 2005) First prostitution affects women, now children too? What kind of heartless people would tolerate the fact that innocent young children are being