Go after traffickers in women

If the Philippine National Police wants to stop prostitution, it should take a rest from arresting female "vagrants" and instead focus its efforts on getting the pimps and white slave traders. A recent report from the US State Department said that despite significant improvements in the status of women worldwide, trafficking in women has become the fastest growing criminal enterprise in several countries. In the Philippines, there are women who go into prostitution on their own volition, but there are many others who are forced into the flesh trade.

The women's movement liberated millions of women around the globe. What was once referred to as the "weaker sex" won the right to vote and broke gender-based barriers in education and employment. Women in the 21st century have control over their bodies and their reproductive capabilities. In recent years, an increasing number of women have made a mark in politics, government and international institutions, giving them more control over global affairs. As the world marks International Women's Month, women have reason to rejoice.

But there are also many causes for gloom. In the age of cyberspace, women continue to be discriminated against and regarded as second-class citizens in many parts of the globe. Even in the Philippines, where a woman has served as president, millions of women continue to be exploited, discriminated against, harassed and deprived of access to basic services such as education and maternal care. Some of the problems are being addressed -- a law against sexual harassment in the workplace has been enacted and stiffer penalties have been approved for rape.

Many of the problems won't go away until the nation reaches a certain level of economic development. But others, such as the flesh trade, can be addressed immediately. The disappearance of teenage girls in Central Luzon and Metro Manila is believed to be the handiwork of white slavery rings. Despite horror stories, thousands of women continue to be victimized by international traffickers in the flesh trade. The Internet is used to promote sex tours to this country. Filipinas expecting jobs as entertainers or maids abroad end up as prostitutes in Europe and Japan. Instead of harassing women for vagrancy, the government should help women by going after these white slavery rings.