Feminism in The World

There has and continues to be the assertions, taken seriously, that prostituted labour is the ‘oldest profession’ on earth, is deplorable but can’t helped, and is in the ‘natural order of things’. There is much discussion in feminist circles about the "right to sell one’s body if one so chooses", versus "the selling of the woman’s body is exploitation and is to be prohibited". These positions both have much to recommend them. Formally educated women in North America and North Europe are primarily the ones defining and defending these positions. Prostituted women are increasingly a part of these formulations. Women in third World countries selling their sexual labour or those faced with the decision of whether or not to enter that labour market are not part of the formulation of either position. They do not have the means of access, the documents for such discourse or the forums where such discourse takes place. We need to look at why prostituted women in Third World countries are not part of theoretical formulations and discussions. Those formally educated, who take an interest in the subject, are guided in their discussions by key documents found in books, journals articles, and papers presented at conferences. They are also frequently guided and informed by organizing work with prostituted women. But in order for the women selling their sexual labour to participate in theoretical documents must be translated into their language(s).