Brief summary of presentation of information made

The meeting began with an introduction of the moderator and the panellists. The meeting was centred upon the launch of a feminist superhero comic, Priya and the Wolves, written by Ruchira Gupta.

Opening remarks were made by feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who discussed how there is a superhero in each feminist who stands up to injustice, framing this message of hope around the comic.

Subsequently the panel of sex-trafficking survivors discussed how they became leaders and superheroes in the struggle against the sex-trafficking industry. Using examples from India, the Netherlands and Germany during their respective Covid-19 lockdowns, it was explored how women across the sex industry were impacted in both situations of legal and illegal prostitution. The exploitative nature of the system was specifically addressed, and a call for further government action and attention to the plight of the women was made.

The meeting highlighted the need for us to examine the situation of women in prostitution in so-called ‘first world countries’, as even in a situation where sex work is legal and regulated, they have been left in a far less safe environment during the Covid-19 lockdowns. There have not been sufficient government provisions (e.g. salary support, housing, mental health support, access to exit services) for these women, who are instead left struggling to survive and are therefore even less likely to exit the industry. While we often think exclusively of women in poor countries and countries where sex work is illegal as the main group at risk, the pandemic has revealed new vulnerabilities within societies where sex work has previously often been seen as ‘safe’.

Another impact of the pandemic has been that many immigration cases have been put on hold, and these people are also left vulnerable and more prone to human trafficking or engaging in sex work. It was highlighted how there are now more ‘grey areas’ within previously stable, democratic systems.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?

In the context of The Salvation Army, these findings will be evidenced in the increased emergency relief work occurring in richer countries during the Covid-19 lockdowns and subsequent economic downturn. During the lockdown periods in the Netherlands and Germany, sex workers were left vulnerable as they did not qualify for government furlough or salary support. Both documented and undocumented women experienced hardships in accessing social support and were therefore more susceptible to engaging in risk-enhancing behaviour to survive. These findings could constitute a future avenue for the Army to explore in regard to awareness raising, social justice activism and perhaps also considering the provision of emergency relief support to these newly identified vulnerable groups.

Web links for more information

Launch of Priya & the Wolves | Apne Aap

Amplifying Survivor Voices with Feminist Superheroes | OSCE

Tags: SDG10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG5: Gender Equality