We, the undersigned write to bring to your attention our concerns regarding the problematic terminology used in the call for input to the report of the Special Rapporteur (SR) on violence against women (VAW) and girls to the Human Rights Council on prostitution and violence against women and girls. The thematic report of the SR on VAW that will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council at its 56th session in June 2024 proposes to examine the nexus between the global phenomenon of prostitution and violence against women and girls. https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2024/call-input-report-special-rapporteur-violence-against-women-and-girls-human

The call for inputs states that the Special Rapporteur would like to receive input to better understand the relationship between prostitution and violence against women, to clarify terms, approaches and actions States should take in order to maintain the spirit of international human rights law and to effectively protect women and girls from all forms of violence.