Their message - "Ukraine is no whorehouse". Their medium - anything from throwing cakes at sexists, challenging male tourists in the street, and getting naked in order to disrupt public ceremonies. Meet Kiev's controversial anti-prostitution activists.
The cost of living in Kiev is not cheap - not much less than in many western European capitals. And yet the average income, according to government statistics, is 300 euros a month. Coupled with lax visa laws for travellers, the conditions have led to the country's sex tourism industry becoming what is thought to be the biggest in Europe. It's no secret; websites like the one that calls itself "Ukraine's number one escort agency" - describe girls by exactly what they'll do in the bedroom, along with a list of prices. "Our escort Ukraine girls are open for all kinds of sex", they boast. Prostitution is supposed to be illegal.
FEMEN, the group of activists in question, says that the government is doing nothing to stop the practice. Which is why they're taking such drastic measures to bring attention to it. But are they the right ones? Give your opinion.
Anna Hutsol founded and has been running FEMEN since 2008.
I set up
FEMEN because I realised that there was a lack of women activists in our
society; Ukraine
is male-oriented and women take a passive role.
In comparison with neighbouring countries, we have the most favourable conditions for sex tourism: free visa entry (for EU and the USA), well developed infrastructure, cheap prices (flights, hotels etc). Plus there's a myth abroad that Ukrainian women are easy, sexy, and like foreigners. But it's also because the government doesn't want to deal with the issue - the sex industry goes unpunished by the law. The fine for getting paid for sex is around five euros. And for pimping, you face a jail sentence of three to eight years. But in practice the pimps don't go to jail because they bribe the police.
Officially there are 12,000 prostitutes in Ukraine, but there are many more in reality; they've just never been taken to the police and therefore go uncounted for. What's most frightening is that 70% of those recorded are under 18 years old.
Here at FEMEN we have developed our own unique way of civil self-expression based on creativity, courage, humour, efficiency and shock. People wouldn't pay attention to the serious problems we tackle if it weren't for the way we dress. We are not afraid to go topless or wear bikinis if it serves a purpose."
Iryna (not her real name) is a sex worker from Kiev. She prefers to remain anonymous.
I've been working in the escort service for three years now. I started working
in my first year at uni. It was not an escort service to be exact - it was originally
a modelling agency. Then it changed owners and we were asked to provide additional
services. Half of the girls left but I had nowhere to go. So I stayed. And I'm
still here.
It costs around 70 euros per hour for a typical date. Sex is almost always included, at least with my agency. We can't turn anyone away now with the crisis.
Foreigners pay better. Plus you don't have to worry about losing your life. Sometimes we fight over foreign clients. Around 60% are from abroad. In the best cases they'll be German or French and in the worst, Arab or Turkish. Clients from Western Europe are the nicest. Clients from Poland and other former Soviet countries, they're similar to Ukrainians - are often bastards.
I don't know why they come here. They say Ukrainian girls are beautiful. I don't know whether we should close down the sex industry. But I do know that I haven't seen any happy prostitute."
Boycotting Ukraine Independence Day celebrations August 24, 2009.
One of the girls dresses as the Ukrainian symbol of freedom - the Ukrainian Marianne, August 24, 2009.
The girls patrol Kiev's main road, Khreshchatyk Street, challenging men about what they think of them. "Foreign tourists and visitors to our country! Many of your compatriots think of us as prostitutes. Thank you for thinking differently!"
Group member Alexandra throws a cream cake at writer Oles Buzina, known for his book "Ladies, back to the harems", and for his open stance against the right for a woman to say no to sex. April 2009.
Anna with Helmut Geier (DJ Hell), FEMEN supporter from Germany, at a demonstration in Kiev's central square, Maidan Nezalezhnosti, on May 23, 2009.
One of the performances at the May 23 demonstration.
All photos posted on FEMEN's MySpace page.
Comments
Prostitution
Submitted by Unregistered user on Mon, 31/08/2009 - 16:09.I wonder why prostitution never changes. There isn't anywhere in the world where prostitution doesn't exist. So the more they protest against prostitution the more it will increase. And as a matter of fact it will become more relentless. Pimpers will have no whorehouse to go on and they will be unfortunatly to go on and do it on the streets for a couple of secs. for satisfaction. And if laws punish prostitutes and pimpers some will do prostitution in a rush without a contraceptiion (rubber) and it will follow up another problem with sexual transmitted dieases. I remember prostitution is an ancient job so find the solution and do not judge the prostitutes and pimpers.
Unregistered user
sexisme toujours et encore
Submitted by otma (not verified) on Mon, 31/08/2009 - 14:20.Si ces femmes choisissent librement la prostitution, je ne vois pas où est le problème sinon de les informer sur les risques de ce métier.
Les féministes persistent dans leur sexisme d'un autre âge qui présente l'homme comme un être sale et dépravé.
Que disent elles de ces femmes qui partent en Afrique ou aux Antilles pour trouver un peu de compagnie avec de ''beaux mâles''?
En toute logique c'est aussi du tourisme sexuel mais là les féministes expliqueront sans doute que ce n'est pas la même chose ou pire arriveront à rendre l'homme coupable...
Et puis autres argument choc, le tourisme sexuel féminin est marginal comme si c'était le sexe ratio dans ce domaine qui avait de l'importance.
Arrêtons ce combat des sexes, nous ne sommes pas dans les pays musulmans ou du tiers monde les femmes peuvent décider et assumer leur choix, il faut jsute exercer une répression impitoyable sur les proxénètes et les réseau de prostitution et la encore même si ce sont des femmes qui les dirigent.
Unregistered user
Français / anglais
Submitted by Sophie Team ... on Mon, 31/08/2009 - 14:27.Please post comments in French on the French website.
Thanks
Sophie Team ...
A friend of mine told me he
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 30/08/2009 - 00:56.A friend of mine told me he did business in the Ukraine. He was in a pub when a pimp came in with a prostitute and he grabbed her hair and banged it against the table.
He got up, wanted to help her, but people told him the guy is too dangerous.
Every john who uses these girls is guilty of contributing to crimes like this.
These are not spoiled rich escorts. They are poor girls who have no choice, but to sell their bodies under despicable circumstances.
Unregistered user
Stephen
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 23:11.How about men keeping it in their pants?
Who says that they have the right to instant gratification?
This is a client-driven "industry" and as long as there is demand there will be supply.
Every john contributes to the misery of these underage, exploited, pimped out girls.
Unregistered user
How about posting only ONCE
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 30/08/2009 - 14:57.How about posting only ONCE ?!?
Unregistered user
Laws combatting the sex
Submitted by Stephen P (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 22:39.Laws combatting the sex industry are ineffective and dangerous, because they push the issue underground, thus making vulnerable people more vulnerable, increasing the likelihood of violence, and making sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/Aids more difficult to address. If FEMEN or others, including the forces of law and order, force sex workers from the streets, they will revert to less safe areas and their informal safety networks will break up.
Unregistered user
Shame on Johns
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 15:10.Johns are like horny stray dogs.
"I want to jump on another dog, right now! I don't care which one, just give me a hole quick, because I have an itch.
I don't have the will/skills to get into a relationship, besides, women are there for my pleasure. I don't care about her background, she can be any nationality as I am not interested in a conversation. Actually, I prefer her to shut up. All I want is to satisfy my animal urges. And I have the right to do that as long as I have the money."
This has been going on for thousands of years. The "Haves" exploit the "Have-Nots". The rich country uses the poor country as its brothel.
None of them would want to do this to their mothers, wives or daughters. Or would they?
Shame, shame, shame! Shame the johns! Go Sweden, Go!
Unregistered user
Just because John didnt like
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 23:08.Just because John didnt like you "more make up?" doesnt mean John treats other women that way.
I"m just saying...
Unregistered user
I love how all you ppl
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 14:05.I love how all you ppl spouting off from your moral high ground...with your over stuffed refrigerators and your spoiled western European lifestyle attitudes feel so free to speak for the hungry.
you would rather they starve,you and FEMEN would rather they starve so you can feel better about yourselves,this article and these comments expose both selfish statism and hypocrisy.
Prostitution isnt the best way to earn money,but if your faced with hunger,for yourself or your family,its better than a slow death painful death on the street.
Unregistered user
hi declan here from Ireland
Submitted by Prince Declan Maguire (not verified) on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 04:04.i think what the ukraine girls group are doing is right ukraine woman are not whores they kind caring sweet girls i know because my girlfriend is girl from the ukraine her name is Shezhana she is 25 and work as a traffic cop in kevi i have been in love with her for 2 years and she is coming too Ireland for a week hoilday too meet me. i cannot beleave most of the foreigns are doing that over there on be half of Ireland i am sorry if that is going on over there most of them should show respect too the woman over there my email address is dclndexer@live.co.uk if any feman member wants we are not all bad guys over here in Ireland?
Unregistered user
Femen
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 28/08/2009 - 20:26.I applaud their cause, especially for standing up for women's rights, but the way they dress and behave puts them on the same level of the prostitutes. As far as I can see it is nothing but free entertainment.
Honestly, as a woman I feel embarrassed watching them.
I agree, Ukraine should give the boot to the sex tourists who take advantage of the often minor girls. But they should also make sure women can make a decent living doing something other than selling their bodies.
Prostitution is an often necessary evil in every society. It degrades not only the sellers, but also the buyers.
Unregistered user
sex workers protest
Submitted by Susan Davies on Fri, 28/08/2009 - 17:18.Submitted by susan davis (not verified) on Fri, 28/08/2009 - 17:01. New
i would like to applaud sex workers in the ukraine for all their hard work and the awareness it's creating!!it's all so beautifully staged and will i hope have a great impact of safety for sex workers.
i am a sex worker and am actually happy in my job and am working to stabilize safety for canadian sex workers.
i just want to state in my opinion we need rights not rescue but my warmest hopes for workers in ukraine as they raise their voices and choose their path.
i respect all sex workers and believe we are all entitled to our voice. i cannot imagine working in an eastern block counrtry and would never presume to tell sex workers what they need.
i can say our cooperative development and industry association development are showing great promise and we are making headway uniting all areas of the sex industry.we do not face the same challenges as workers in ukraine but i do wonder where male and trans gendered sex workers are in all of this.
best of luck to FEMEN from the BC Coalition of Experiential Communities, West Coast Cooperative of Sex Industry Professional and of course the Canadian Adult Entertainment Commission.
sincerely,
susan davis
www.wccsip.ca
Susan Davies
Prostitution Follows Poverty But Its Not The Whole Truth
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 30/08/2009 - 02:29.FEMEN is doing a great job to highlight a large issue
Prostitution xan never be eliminated, but in Ukraine poverty with lack of state social support, together with lax laws and law enforcement means Ukraine is experiencing a social crisis, almost no women would choose prostitution which means not enough choices are available.
Responsibilty should be with politicians endemic corruption is common.
Johns will follow the market and are not able to be shamed so shaming Ukraines politicians internationally via the media is one of the few options left.
Make no mistake any country without a religious dogma to subjugate women would have this problem in similar economic and social conditions, in Germany they had similar problems after WWII.
Gently shame the politicians if they still have shame left in them.
Well done FEMEN
Unregistered user