THE DEBATE SURROUNDING the legalisation of prostitution has
recently attracted a good deal of attention from the media, especially after
popular business man Lascelles Chin called on the Government to make the change.
Chin and some officials in the Health Ministry believe that this move would help to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS. But what is the logic behind this thinking? To legalise something is essentially to say 'it's ok, go ahead, indulge, there's nothing to worry about.' It is very hard to see how this will limit the spread of the disease. What the Government needs to do is work more aggressively to clean up the streets.
And if this is not possible, another approach needs to be taken. Instead of pressuring the Government to make a decision that will really have little effect, the Health Ministry needs to engage in more outreach work with prostitutes. More interventions focusing on this and other 'high-risk' groups are needed. The importance of the condom as a means of protection needs to be brought across in a more effective way.
In a story in yesterday's Sunday's Gleaner, a prostitute referred to as String Bean told reporters that her 'package' includes the use of condoms. If this is true, she should be commended and more people need to be like her. She also said the legalisation of prostitution would only "cause AIDS to spread more because people will think it's a free-for-all show."
Well said, String Bean.
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