"Belle" Statue Honours Sex Workers

[Text from International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe ICRSE]
"There is a new girl in the Red Light District in Amsterdam. Her name is "Belle", and she stands proudly and strong in a window. She, however, is not a real sex worker, it is a statue there to honor sex workers. The statue was an initiative of Mariska Majoor, founder of the Prostitution Information Centre in Amsterdam and herself a long standing activist for sex workers' rights. "Belle" is there to remind the world that all sex workers, men, women, transgender or not alike, have a right to respect, dignity, livelyhood and agency.

The statue was unveiled 31st of March, during the open day held in the Red Light District where she now stands. During the open day 20 businesses, ranging from brothels and sex theaters to flowershops and churches, opened their doors for the public. It was a unique chance to take a look behind the scenes. Visitors could take a look inside the windows and were given explainations about how the women work, they could take a free coffee in one of the caffees, they got a free 5 minute show (with clothes) in the Cassa Rossa, the biggest live sex theater in Amsterdam.

Of Course the main event that day was the presentation of "Belle". At 5 pm, Mariska and several other sex workers ceremonially unveiled her in front of a croud of several hundreds. She was received with much applause, the sense of the day was a positive one. While not forgetting that still there is a lot to be done in the Netherlands to improve the working conditions and specially the regulations, the Netherlands is one of those places where working at least is legal. "Belle" now stands among the real women in the windows in one of the most famous Red Light Districts in the world, to tell everyone that we deserve respect!"

Catholic Hospital Merger would end reproductive health services

July 23, 2007 • For immediate release

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada / Coalition pour le Droit à l’Avortement au Canada
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COMMUNITY RISES UP AGAINST CATHOLIC HOSPITAL MERGER THAT WOULD END REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES

TORONTO — A community is up in arms after two neighbouring hospital boards voted in June to amalgamate the secular Huronia District Hospital in Midland Ontario, and the neighbouring Roman Catholic Penetanguishene General Hospital. The merger would end several essential health services, including abortions, vasectomies, tubal ligations, and birth control options. The proposed merger, which has yet to be voted on by the hospital membership, was recommended mostly for economic reasons, as Huronia suffers from a $5 million dollar deficit while the Catholic hospital has a surplus.

At a packed public forum in Midland on July 19 to oppose the merger, over 500 members of the community showed up, including Huronia Hospital physicians, several Huronia board members who had resigned from the board in opposition, three mayors from nearby towns, politicians, and representatives from the Ontario Nurses Association, several unions, and pro-choice groups.

Carolyn Egan of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC-CDAC) told the crowd how critically important it was to maintain a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion, since the loss of such services hurts the community as a whole. She noted that many at the forum expressed dismay that Catholic religious doctrine might be imposed on an entire community.

“The overwhelming support from ordinary citizens for the pro-choice position was incredibly gratifying,” said Egan. “Women who used to be active in the pro-choice movement, some going back thirty years, came up and spoke to me. Also, young women in the community are providing support and leadership in the campaign, which is great to see.”

Every single doctor at the Huronia Hospital has come out against the merger. So far, local groups and volunteers have managed to sign up over 1000 new hospital members who plan to vote against the proposed merger. The energetic
campaign has attracted national media attention. “I am delighted that this struggle is now getting national coverage because it clearly has implications for women across the country,” said Egan. “This local campaign highlights the issue of health care cutbacks and hospital reorganizations, and their effects on reproductive health. Abortion clinics serve many of the needs in urban areas, but in rural parts of the country, women really depend on hospital abortions.”

“The planned merger undermines the right of Canadians to access health care under the Canada Health Act,” said Joyce Arthur, another ARCC-CDAC spokesperson. “A hospital can’t be allowed to withdraw essential medical services simply because it needs to clear a debt. We’re 100% behind this campaign to fight the merger, and want to congratulate the Midland community for its inspiring work.”

Carolyn Egan, Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, Toronto, 416-806-7985
Joyce Arthur, Pro-Choice Action Network, Vancouver, 604-351-0867
Judy Burwell, former director of the Morgentaler Clinic, Fredericton,
506-470-9049
Catherine Megill, ARCC-CDAC, Montréal (Elle parle français), 514-486-9669
Dr. Suzanne Newman, Abortion provider, Women's Hospital, Health Sciences
Centre; Women's Health Clinic Abortion Services, Winnipeg, 204-477-1887