Members of a coalition of human rights groups hoped that by making declarations against paying for sex, men could help reduce the oppression against women and girls. Others signed, horrified at the international trade that involves kidnapping young women, smuggling them into another country, and selling them into prostitution. Many signatories had never heard about the issue, while others had heard of a recent Amnesty International report. Several men were supportive but said the activists were going about the fight the wrong way. We're not the problem.
Halting demand is just as important as halting supply, according to the activists.
The activists are lobbying to create legislation making it illegal to buy and sell women and to enact tougher sentences for those convicted of these crimes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission.