A report by COSWAS

The Taipei Association of Licensed Prostitutes (TALPs) was formed in 1998 when the then Taipei City Mayor and later President of Taiwan, CHEN Shui Bian of the Democratic Progressive Party, banned licensed prostitution within 48 hours. The licensed prostitutes in Taipei organized themselves and protested publicly for the first time in Taiwanese history against the ban. Their demand was to reinstate their livelihood and their right to work as sex workers. Their sudden public appearance as sex workers demanding for their right to work initially shocked the Taiwanese society but these women also quickly gained sympathy and support.

A group of young labour activists, predominantly women, helped to expand their campaign. They were successful in seeking wider support from various social movement organizations and individuals, including the LGBT communities, academics, lawyers, social workers, teachers and nurses etc. Through the joint actions of the licensed prostitutes and the activists; they were able to change the attitude of the mass media. The latter’s initial disdain, prejudices, stereotypes and scepticism about the sex industry and the sex workers has given way to a more objective, balanced, sympathetic and even supportive attitude. One example is the use of the word ‘ sex worker’ instead of ‘prostitutes’ by the media.

TALPs’ campaigns were so successful despite opposition from certain feminist and women groups, as well as religious institutions, politicians and certain government officials that MAH Ying-jeoh of the Kuoming Tang (The Nationalist Party), who subsequently replaced CHEN as Taipei City Mayor, had to postpone the ban for two years.

The Collective for Sex Workers and Supporters (COSWAS) was formed in 1999 to continue the fight for the rights of all sex workers in Taiwan, making it the only sex workers’ rights organization set up by sex workers and for sex workers on the island. In order to expand its influence, COSWAS welcomes supporters and volunteers to work hand-in-hand with ex-licensed prostitutes, street sex workers, as well as women working in tea houses, massage parlours, karaoke bars, brothels and pole-dancing clubs etc.

COSWAS has been campaigning tirelessly against Article 80 of the Public Order Maintenance Act, which criminalizes sex workers. After more than twelve years of organizing, mobilizing  and politicizing the issue, the Taiwanese judiciary has finally declared Article 80 to be unconstitutional because it contravenes the universal rights of all Taiwanese citizens. Therefore, this law that specifically criminalizes sex workers will be annulled by November 2011 at the latest. COSWAS will however, continue to fight for the rights and welfare of all sex workers by resisting the pressure by some women and feminist groups to criminalize clients and third parties whom these abolitionist groups consider to be ‘profiting’ from the ‘sexual exploitation’ of women.

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