WILLEMSTAD - Maria Nita, Member of Parliament for the MFK party, has called on Minister of Justice Shalten Hato to provide a clear and updated picture of the situation surrounding sex work in Curaçao. In a formal letter to the minister, Nita requested current statistics, documentation, and an explanation of how the sector is currently regulated and monitored.
According to Nita, an accurate overview is essential to better understand the social consequences, public health risks, and safety challenges linked to sex work on the island. She noted that prostitution has a long and complex history in Curaçao.
From Campo Alegre to informal networks
Nita recalled that Campo Alegre was established in 1949 with the goal of organizing sex work in a controlled and legalized environment, using temporary work permits for registered sex workers. The initiative, she said, reduced certain risks but did not eliminate illegal prostitution outside the designated area.
Over the decades, the informal and unregulated sex trade has grown, Nita warned, potentially affecting health conditions, worker protection, and efforts to prevent exploitation and abuse.
Call for transparency and regulation
The MP asked the minister to disclose how many active locations currently operate, what types of sex work are taking place, and whether the government maintains up-to-date registries or studies on the sector.
She also inquired whether the Ministry of Justice plans to introduce new regulations or formalize sex work, such as through licensing, registration systems, or enhanced oversight mechanisms, emphasizing that the legal status and protection of sex workers must be a priority.
Nita’s request signals renewed political attention to an issue that has long existed in the shadows of Curaçao’s social and economic life — and which many believe requires a transparent, humane, and public health–oriented approach from the government.