A sex worker waits for clients in downtown Mexico City. Photograph: Alexandre Meneghini/AP

Sex work will be decriminalized in Mexico City

In order to crackdown sex trafficking that snares many women and children in Mexico, the city lawmakers have given the green light to decriminalize sex work.

Mexico City’s lawmakers had a congress on Friday with the total of votes 38-0 with eight abstentions, to remove the culture law which said if the neighbors are complaining, the prostitutes and their clients can be fined or arrested.

A local representative, Temistocles Villanueva said that the new law is aware of how people need and had the right to engage in sex work. Villanueva also stated that exercising sexuality in Mexico is a taboo topic to talk about. He believes that the law is a first step that leads to regulations of sex work in favor to fight human trafficking and strengthen the rights of sex workers.

Mexico allows sex work, however, each state have different laws and rules which cause the workers to operate in legal vacuums frequently, leaving them close to exploitation and trafficking. Furthermore, Mexico has a high rate of sex trafficking and forced labor with women and children are the most at risk.

Eduardo Santiila, a Morena Mexico City congressman stated that the sex work is now decriminalized, the anti-trafficking policy should be strengthened.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/01/mexico-city-decriminalize-sex-trafficking