A Cambridge University economist who once
attended a faculty meeting naked with the
words 'Brexit leaves Britain naked' written
across her breasts has said banning prostitution
was well-meaning sexism.
Victoria Bateman said women have as much
right as men to make money from their bodies,
pointing out that men have been praised for
careers as boxers and soldiers, where they are
exposed to injury and violence.
Writing in Times Higher Education magazine , Dr
Bateman said economists shouldn't be
inconsistent in the way they treat male-
dominated industries and female-dominated
ones.
She said: 'The inconsistent treatment of a
largely female profession compared with a
largely male profession is nothing other than
sexism under the cover of "well-meaning"
paternalism.
'Those engaging in consensual sex work need to
be helped to benefit from the markets that work
with them rather than against them.
'The neglect of the sex trade is an eloquent
symbol of fact that women are under-
represented among economists.'