by Giulia Magri

Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rosianne Cutajar said that she has always been clear with NGOs on her choices and decisions on the Prostitution and Human Trafficking reform.

Cutajar spoke to The Malta Independent after it was announced that the proposed law to decriminalise prostitution would not make buying sex a crime. She said that since then, numerous newsrooms had contacted her for a clearer indication, as individuals and NGOs stated that the decision to ditch the Nordic Model is “an insult to women”.

“Many people have contacted me since then, and we will soon be publishing a proper press statement on the matter. I am aware people were concerned, but I also believe that certain individuals took it to an extreme,” Cutajar said.

When asked why she has made a decision when discussions are still taking place, she said that during, the Social Affairs Committee meetings she has always made it clear what her choices were.

“We have discussed this issue numerous times and I always make myself clear and, during the committee meetings, I challenge others to think differently.”

In September 2019, the government announced plans to decriminalise prostitution, which led to heated debates on whether prostitution should be recognised as any other job, and to go as far as to criminalise those who buy sex. A coalition of 40 NGOs have since come together calling for sex buying to be made a crime. The coalition published a statement on Monday saying that ditching the Nordic Model is an “insult to women and will take the country backwards.” Read more via Independent