International Day of No Prostitution | |
---|---|
Observed by | Anti-sex work feminists |
Date | October 5 |
Next time | October 5, 2024 |
Frequency | annual |
International Day of No Prostitution (IDNP) is an awareness day celebrated to oppose the practice of sex work.[1] First observed in 2002, the event takes place annually on the 5th of October.
The IDNP was first observed in 2002; during its inaugural year, events were held to recognise it in the San Francisco Bay Area of California,[2] and Melbourne, Victoria.[3]
In 2005, the University of the Philippines Institute of Human Rights and the Asia-Pacific chapter of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) organized an IDNP event at which they discussed the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.[4] In 2008, there was an IDNP candlelight vigil in Phoenix, Arizona;[5] a second such vigil took place again in 2010 in the same location, with some of the city's leaders and some former sex workers amongst the participants.[6]
Also in 2010, CATW observed IDNP by opposing the decision in Bedford v. Canada to strike down Canada's anti-sex work laws.[7] A group of former human trafficking victims and former sex workers in Canada also opposed the striking down of these laws, picketing a courthouse in downtown Toronto, Ontario in recognition of IDNP.[8]
In 2011, People Working Against Prostitution, an organization in the Philippines, expressed disappointment that the Cagayan de Oro city council did not host any events in recognition of IDNP.[9]