Prostitution in Panama

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Prostitution in Panama is legal and regulated. [1] Prostitutes are required to register and carry identification cards. [2] However, the majority of prostitutes are not registered. [1] There are 2,650 sex workers registered with the government in 2008, but there was no accurate information regarding the total number of persons practising prostitution in the country. [3] Some estimate put the number of unregistered prostitutes at 4,000. [4]

Contents

The main area of prostitution in Panama City is Bella Vista. [5] [6] Street prostitution also occurs on Avenida Ricardo Arias, Central Avenue and Avenida Perú. [7]

There are many foreign prostitutes in the country, especially from Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia [6] (Panama was part of Colombia until 1903). To work as a prostitute, foreign prostitutes need an "alternadora" visa. As this is stamped into their passport, many work unofficially on tourist visas to avoid effectively having "prostitute" stamped in their passport. [5] Working without the correct visa and being unregistered is an administrative offence not a criminal offence and usually punished with a small fine if caught. [5] Unregisted prostitutes can still access health services at clinics such as the one in Santa Ana, Panama City. [7]

Panama Canal Zone

During the construction of the Panama Canal (1904-1914), many prostitutes came to the canal zone to service the workers building the canal. Many were from the Caribbean, especially the English speaking islands. [8] In 1905, the US Government arranged for several hundred women from Martinique to be transported to Panama. President Roosevelt launched an inquiry into the morality of these women, in case they had been brought in to work as prostitutes. [9]

After the completion of the canal, most of the migrant labour force left, leaving mainly US troops and civilians. These US citizens became the main customers of the red-light districts in Panamanian cities close to the canal such as Panama City and Colon. [8] (The US had deported 150 women back to the British Caribbean.) [8]

The US government, concerned about the spread of STIs, tried to pressurise the Panamanian authorities into prohibiting prostitution and shutting down the red-light districts. The Panamanians resisted the US pressures to alter the laws within an independent state. They saw the prostitutes as a buffer between the US servicemen and Panamanian women. It countered the US's argument with the suggestion that it was the US servicemen giving STIs to the prostitutes not the other way around. [8] However, Panama did introduce regulation of prostitution, including health checks. [8]

During WWII, the Vincentian Fathers encouraged parishes to set up "Catholic recreational centers for servicemen" to try to get the serviceman away from the red-light districts. [10]

HIV

In 2005, the World Health Organization estimated that there was a 1.9% HIV prevalence rate amongst female sex workers compared to 0.92% prevalence rate amongst the overall adult population. However the figures were higher for sex workers in Panama City and Colon than for those in the rest of the country. [11] A law on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections was adopted in 2000. [11] In September 2016, a prostitute was sentenced to one years imprisonment for soliciting while knowingly being HIV positive. [12]

Sex trafficking

Panama is listed as a Tier 2 country by the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. [13]

Panama is a source, transit, and destination country for men and women subjected to sex trafficking. Child victims of trafficking are typically Panamanian nationals subjected to commercial sex acts inside Panama. Panamanian women are subjected to sex trafficking in other countries, including The Bahamas and Guyana. In Panama, most identified trafficking victims are foreign adults exploited in sex trafficking, especially women from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In 2016, the number of foreign transgender victims subjected to sex trafficking increased. Transgender individuals are discriminated against in Panama, making them more vulnerable to trafficking, especially given the high demand in Panama for sexual services from this population. Traffickers recruit female victims with promises of good jobs and high salaries in the housekeeping and restaurant industries, as well as for modelling and prostitution, but exploit them in sex trafficking. [13]

Authorities have identified potential sex trafficking victims among Eastern European women working in nightclubs. Men from the United States have been investigated as child sex tourists in Panama. Panamanian and European officials report some men and women from Central America who transit Panama en route to the Caribbean or Europe are subjected to sex trafficking in their destination countries. [13]

Child prostitution

Panamanian officials continue to prosecute cases of sexual abuse of children in urban and rural areas, as well as within indigenous communities. Officials believed that commercial sexual exploitation of children occurs, including in tourist areas in Panama City and in beach communities, although they do not keep separate statistics. [14]

Legislation

Article 187, Penal Code this Article states that anyone who uses, allows or permits a minor to participate in acts or indecent exposure or pornography, whether or not actually recorded, photographed or filmed, will be liable to imprisonment for six to eight years. The same penalty applies to anyone who uses email, the Internet or any other regional or mass media to incite minors to engage in online sex, or to provide or stimulate sexual services, through any of the above means, by phone or in person. [15]

Article 190, Penal Code, imposes a penalty of imprisonment for eight to ten years for anyone who promotes, directs, organizes, advertises, invites, facilitates or arranges for any local or mass media, local or international sex tourism, the recruitment of a minor aged between fourteen and seventeen for sexual exploitation, whether this actually takes place or not. The penalty will increase by half the maximum sentence if the victim is under the age of fourteen. [15]

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Prostitution in Paraguay is legal for persons over the age of 18, but related activities such as brothel keeping are prohibited. Prostitution is common in the country. Brothels are also common, even some rural villages have a small bar/brothel on the outskirts.

Prostitution in Belize is legal, but the buying of sexual services is not. Associated activities such as operating a brothel, loitering for the purposes of prostitution and soliciting sex are also illegal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Ukraine</span> Overview of prostitution in Ukraine

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Prostitution in El Salvador is not prohibited by national law, but may be prohibited by local municipal ordinances. Municipal ordinances may also prohibit the purchase of sexual services. Related activities such as facilitating, promoting or giving incentives to a person to work as a prostitute (pimping) are illegal. The prostitution of children is also illegal. Brothel ownership, however, is legal. There are no specific laws against human trafficking, but any criminal offence that includes ‘commerce in women or children’ requires sentencing to be increased by 30%.

Prostitution in Kenya is widespread. The legal situation is complex. Although prostitution is not criminalised by National law, municipal by-laws may prohibit it.. It is illegal to profit from the prostitution of others, and to aid, abet, compel or incite prostitution.. UNAIDS estimate there to be 133,675 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Cameroon is illegal but tolerated, especially in urban and tourist areas. In the capital, Yaoundé the main area of prostitution is the neighbourhood of Mini Ferme. UNAIDS estimate there are 112,000 sex workers in the country.

Prostitution in Rwanda is illegal in all aspects. Prostitutes, clients and any involved third parties are criminalised by the country's Penal Code. However, a draft of a new Penal Code that does not prohibit prostitution was presented for debate in the Rwandan Parliament in December 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution law</span> Legality of prostitution

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Prostitution in Kosovo is illegal, and can incur a prison sentence of up to sixty days. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's HIV Program in Kosovo estimated there to be 5,037 prostitutes in the country. Many women turn to prostitution through poverty.

Prostitution in Togo is legal and commonplace. Related activities such as solicitation, living off the earnings of prostitution or procuring are prohibited. Punishment is up to 10 years imprisonment if minors or violence is involved.

Prostitution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is legal but related activities are prohibited. The Congolese penal code punishes pimping, running a bawdy house or brothel, the exploitation of debauchery or prostitution, as well as forced prostitution. Activities that incite minors or promote the prostitution of others have been criminalised. The government does little to enforce the law. During the colonial era and the years that followed independence, the Ministry of Health issued calling cards identifying professional sex workers and provided them with medical health checks. However, this system was abandoned in the 1980s. Public order laws are sometimes used against sex workers. Street prostitutes report harassment, violence and extortion from the police. UNAIDS estimated there are 2.9 million sex workers in the country.

Prostitution in Malawi is legal and prevalent around hotels and bars in urban and tourist areas. Living off the proceeds of prostitution is illegal. In 2015, it was estimated there were 20,000 sex workers in the country.

Prostitution in Benin is legal but related activities such as brothel keeping and benefiting from the prostitution of others are illegal. UNAIDS estimates there to be about 15,000 prostitutes in the country. Most of these are migrants from neighbouring countries, mainly Nigeria, Togo and Ghana. Only 15% of the prostitutes are Beninese. Prostitution occurs on the streets, in bars, restaurants, hotels and brothels. With advent of the smartphone, many prostitutes use apps to make arrangements with clients.

Prostitution in the Central African Republic is legal and commonplace. Procuring or profiting off the prostitution of others is illegal, as is coercing people into prostitution. Punishment is a fine and up to one year in prison, or 5 years if the case involves a minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in the Americas</span> Overview of the legality and practice of prostitution in the Americas

Legality of prostitution in the Americas varies by country. Most countries only legalized prostitution, with the act of exchanging money for sexual services legal. The level of enforcement varies by country. One country, the United States, is unique as legality of prostitution is not the responsibility of the federal government, but rather state, territorial, and federal district's responsibility.

Prostitution in Papua New Guinea is generally regarded as illegal but widely practiced with the laws rarely enforced. Prostitution occurs on the streets, in bars, brothels and in logging, mining, and palm oil areas. In 2010 it was estimated there were 2.000 prostitutes in the capital, Port Moresby. The drought in 2016 caused a rise in prostitution. Many of the women have turned to sex work due to poverty or unemployment.

References

  1. 1 2 "Sexuality, Poverty and Law Programme". Institute of Development Studies. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Is this the time or place to publish the profane?". thepanamanews.com. Archived from the original on 2005-08-29. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  3. ↑ 2008 Human Rights Report: Panama. State.gov (2009-02-25). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.
  4. ↑ Winner, Don (12 May 2007). "Hookers, Hookers, Everywhere... Sex Tourism in Panama". Panama-Guide. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "Fantastic Food, Expats, Einstein's Head, And Hookers—Exploring The Streets Of El Cangrejo". Live and Invest Overseas. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. 1 2 Peddicord, Kathleen (6 December 2017). "10 Things To See And Do In Panama City's Rowdiest, Bawdiest Zone". Huffington Post. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Panama's rising prostitution pressures health center". Newsroom Panama. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Parker, Jeffrey W. (February 2008). "Sexual Angst of Empire: Race, Manliness, and Prostitution on the Panama Canal, 1914-1921" (PDF). University of Texas. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  9. ↑ Villalobos, Joan Victoria Flores (16 April 2010). "West Indian women in the Panama Canal zone, 1904-1914". George A. Smathers Library. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  10. ↑ Swain, Robert J. (1982). "A History of the American Vincentian Fathers in Panama". De Paul University. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Panama Country Profile" (PDF). WHO Country Office for Panama and the Pan American Health Organization. December 2005. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Woman sentenced for prostitution while HIV positive". News Herald. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 "2017 Trafficking in Persons Report: Panama". US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 20 December 2017.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  14. ↑ "2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Panama". United States Department of State. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  15. 1 2 "Panama." Fosigrid. Global Resources and Information Directory, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.


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