Prostitution in Ukraine

Prostitution in Ukraine is illegal but widespread and largely ignored by the government. Sex tourism rose as the country attracted greater numbers of foreign tourists. Laws criminalizing organized prostitution and penalties for human trafficking have had little effect because many convicted traffickers often do not end up serving prison time.

Trafficking in women for sexual exploitation was a serious problem.

Women's groups reported that there was continuing widespread sexual harassment in the workplace, including coerced sex. While the law prohibits forced sex with a "materially dependent person," which includes employees, legal experts regarded the safeguards against harassment as inadequate.

Labor laws establish the legal equality of men and women, including equal pay for equal work, a principle that generally was observed. However, industries dominated by female workers had the lowest relative wages and were the ones most likely to be affected by wage arrears. The Labor Code sets the retirement age for women at 55 and for men at 60. There were reports of some employers refusing to hire younger women likely to become pregnant or women over 35. Women also received lower salaries and had limited opportunity for career advancement. Few women held top managerial positions in the government or in state- owned or private industry. [ [http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaUkraine.asp] ] [ [http://world.technorati.ro/node/59332] ] [ [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100590.htm] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3979725.stm] ]

References

External links

* [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/ukraine.html#8 The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality]
* [http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/ukraine.htm Factbook on Global Sexual Exploitation]
* [http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/2002/200206.shtml Sociological study examines sex business in Ukraine]
* [http://gvnet.com/childprostitution/Ukraine.htm The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children]
* [http://www.russiatoday.com/entertainment/news/28318 Sexploitation protests in Kiev]