The World Bank, Tourism, and Sex Work Essay -- Essays Papers

The World Bank, Tourism, and Sex Work "...International Travel, Tours and Vacations to the Philippine Islands, Services and Assistance to Single Individuals Seeking a Romantic Relationship plus Assistance with U.S. Immigration Visa Requirements...." (M-H Travel, 1). This sex tour is just one example of the direct links of tourism associated with sex work in Asia. While specifically analyzing the implications of tourism on prostitution/sex work supported by organizations such as the World Bank, which is profit seeking and economically focused, Thailand and the Philippines seem to be two very affected nations struggling with the issue. There is significant evidence, such as official documents, personal accounts, interviews, and scholarly work, which strongly indicates that the World Bank knowingly promoted tourism in Thailand and the Philippines in order to generate large economic profits. Mass tourism increases and further fuels the sex industry, which forces and degrades poor women into being objects to ensure their survival. To further understand the World Bank and its goals and policies, I explored their official web page. I was first greeted with their slogan, "Our dream is a world free of poverty". It seems like a noble statement that should be endorsed by the general public. Almost immediately I wondered why then did thousands of people from around the globe gather in Washington D.C. on April 16th and 17th to protest against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. On April 17th, CNN reported "The demonstrators, from dozens of different groups, include environmentalists, anti-free trade lobbyists, and human rights activists". That does cause one to question whether or not the World Bank’s motives are as virtuo... ...en in Action 1997. Daorueng, Prangtip and Kafil Yamin. "Southeast Asia: Women Workers Are Last In, First Out." InterPress Service April 30, 1998. Flowers, R. Barri. The Prostitution of Women and Girls. North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc, 1998. http://www.cnn.com http://www-wds.worldbank.org/ http://www.web-ster.com/dfike/penpal.htm http://www.worldbank.org/pics/pid/th56269.txt http://www.worldbank.or.th/economic/pdf/moniq12k.pdf http://www.worldsexguide.com/ Mies, Maria and Vandana Shiva. Ecofeminism. New Jersey: Zed Books, 1993. "Philippines: Women Bearing The Cross of Globalization." Women Magazine Aug. 1999. Sittirak, Sinith. The Daughters of Development. New York: Zed Books, 1998. Truong, Thanh-Dam. Sex Money And Morality. New Jersey: Zed Books, 1990. Nualnoi, T., P. Pasuk, P. Sungsidh. Guns Girls Gambling Ganja. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1998.