(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
When Kari Folkenborg is criticized by SV's women's political committee for not inviting prostitutes Gitte to the debate about prostitution and criminalization of prostitutes two weeks ago, she replies the following:
- The explanation is quite simple: We had an hour available for the speakers before the debate was to begin. There was therefore only room for two in the panel. We made an assessment and decided that there should only be two initiators, so that the initiators would have the opportunity to go a little in depth on the team. If there had been too many presenters, it would have affected the opportunity for debate among the participants. This was not even the main issue during the national assembly, she explains.
Because of this, according to Folkenborg, who led the panel debate, there was room only for Arne Randers-Pehrson from the Pro Center and Annika Cullberg from SV's sister party in Sweden, the Vänster Party. The former as a representative of the opponents of the criminalization of whore customers, the latter as a supporter of criminalization and an active advocate of Swedish legislation.
- It has never been the intention to exclude anyone. We have never said no to her; we got tips about her. But since we had Annika Cullberg on the panel, we basically wanted a politician on the same level. However, we did not get that, and chose a professional from the PRO Center instead, says Folkenborg, who is a researcher at Fafo on a daily basis.
- But do you understand that Gitte as a prostitute and member of SV feels excluded?
- When others have argued that she should join, I can understand that this is perceived by some as a shortcoming. But that is because this time we would discuss this on a political level. There were also several other relevant debaters, including from the Shelters, who several thought we should invite to participate. But these were not invited either. It is also not the case that the prostitutes have not spoken before, Folkenborg answers, and refers both to a Fafo report that says something about the prostitutes' situation in Oslo, and to the fact that prostitutes have spoken in debates in the media.
- So the next time this is discussed, will SV's women's political committee invite Gitte or another prostitute?
- Now we have not set a theme for what we will address in the future. I do not think it is unnatural to invite her. But I can not say anything on behalf of the committee now. We have started a debate that we hope will continue throughout the party.
When asked if she shares Arne Randers-Pehron's assessment that most of those present during the women's political gathering were advocates of criminalization, Folkenborg replies that no decision was made on this issue now.
- We did not vote, so it is difficult to say anything about what the assembly thought. But I agree with Randers-Pehrson that if one is to judge from the debate, it seemed as if the National Assembly was a supporter of criminalization, says Folkenborg.
- Where do you stand in the debate?
- I still doubt, the Fafo researcher answers.
