Today, I want to address a subject that many people are uncomfortable discussing: high-class prostitution.
When we hear the word prostitution, our minds often turn to women selling sexual services on the streets. But there is another form of exchanging sex for personal advancement that society rarely discusses openly: individuals using sexual relationships to gain positions of power, promotions, scholarships, financial privileges, and professional opportunities.
Let me begin by sharing an experience.
Several years ago, following the unfortunate situation involving Yogi Farrell, I traveled from Maryland to New York to participate in a protest in my capacity as president of my two nonprofit organizations, Rise Hairouna and Leave Out Violence SVG.
During that protest, I spoke passionately against rape, sexual assault, and the mistreatment of women in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
I also referenced the allegations of sexual assault that had been made against the then-sitting Prime Minister. I argued that no man, regardless of his position, wealth, or political influence, has the right to violate a woman’s body.
I made a statement that generated considerable controversy. I said that if a man desires sexual companionship, he should seek a consenting adult rather than sexually assaulting a woman. I even suggested paying a consenting sex worker rather than violating another person’s bodily autonomy.
Searchlight subsequently reported on my comments, portraying my position as an activist encouraging prostitution.
But my message was never about encouraging prostitution. My message was about consent, bodily autonomy, and ending sexual violence against women.
Around the world, different countries have adopted different approaches to sex work. Countries such as the Netherlands and Germany permit regulated forms of sex work. Parts of Australia also have legal frameworks governing the industry. In the United States, licensed brothels operate legally in certain Nevada counties, while Maine has decriminalized the selling of sex by adults but continues to criminalize purchasing it.
These legal frameworks differ, but the broader conversation remains important: how do we protect individuals from exploitation, trafficking, coercion, and sexual violence?
Now, let me turn to the real subject of today’s discussion.
THE OTHER SIDE OF PROSTITUTION: SEX FOR POWER AND POSITION
There is another practice that exists in societies around the world, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is the exchange of sexual favors for professional advancement, financial rewards, scholarships, appointments, promotions, and positions of influence.
I refer to this as high-class prostitution.
We must acknowledge that some individuals willingly engage in transactional sexual relationships to gain opportunities. But we must also recognize that others are pressured, manipulated, or exploited by powerful individuals who control access to employment, education, and advancement.
And that is where my greatest concern lies.
Imagine a young woman who dreams of becoming a CEO, a director, a government official, or a respected professional. Instead of being evaluated on her qualifications, competence, intelligence, and work ethic, she finds herself in an environment where sexual access becomes an expectation for advancement.
Imagine a young woman seeking a scholarship, only to discover that the person offering that opportunity expects sexual favors in return.
That is not empowerment. That is an abuse of power.
And those who use their positions to demand sexual favors must be held accountable.
But I also want to speak directly to women who believe that exchanging sexual favors is the easiest route to success.
Women, you are worth so much more than that!
You do not need to compromise your personal values to become a CEO.
You do not need to exchange sexual favors to become a director.
You do not need to enter a sexual relationship with a powerful man to secure a scholarship, a government appointment, or a promotion.
Your intelligence should speak for you. Your qualifications should speak for you. Your competence, professionalism, integrity, and work ethic should open doors for you.
And when those doors do not open, have the courage to challenge the systems that unfairly keep them closed.
WHERE HAVE OUR MORALS AND VALUES GONE?
As Vincentians, we come from a history of extraordinary resilience. Our Garifuna ancestors resisted colonial domination and fought fiercely to protect their freedom and dignity.
We owe it to future generations to build a society where women are valued for their contributions, their leadership, and their abilities, rather than their willingness to satisfy the sexual demands of powerful individuals.
We must stop confusing titles with competence.
Someone can hold a prestigious position and still lack the qualifications, leadership, integrity, and ability required to perform that role.
A title does not automatically make someone respectable.
And a powerful man who uses his influence to obtain sexual favors is not a leader worthy of admiration.
MY MESSAGE TO WOMEN
Hold your heads high!
Work hard. Educate yourselves. Develop your skills. Build your businesses. Pursue leadership. Understand that success sometimes requires sacrifice, patience, and perseverance.
There is tremendous dignity in achieving something through your own efforts.
Teach your daughters that their bodies are not bargaining chips for opportunities.
Teach your sons that women are not sexual commodities and that power never gives them entitlement to another person’s body.
And let us remember that women who experience coercion or sexual exploitation deserve our protection, not our condemnation.
For more than 15 years, I have advocated for the protection, dignity, and empowerment of women. I will continue to speak against sexual exploitation, regardless of whether it happens on the streets, in corporate offices, educational institutions, or the highest levels of government.
We cannot condemn prostitution on the streets while turning a blind eye to sexual exploitation behind the closed doors of prestigious offices.
Let us build a society where advancement is based on merit, not sexual favors; where leadership is earned through competence, not personal connections; and where women can succeed without being subjected to sexual demands.
Women, know your worth. Protect your dignity. Build your competence. Never allow anyone to convince you that your body is the price you must pay for success.
And to the men who exploit positions of power to obtain sexual favors: you, too, must be held accountable.
True empowerment is having the freedom, opportunity, and support to succeed without sexual coercion or exploitation.
Nailah John
President and Founder, Rise Hairouna and LOVNSVG
