Tal av Nina Larsson

Inledningstal vid konferensen ”Abolition in Action, 10th anniversary of French abolitionist law”

Publicerad 13 april 2026

Jämställdhetsminister Nina Larsson höll ett inledande tal i franska nationalförsamlingen i Paris den 13 april 2026. Det talade ordet gäller, talet hölls på engelska.

President Braun-Pivet, Minister Bergé, Ms. Donevan, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

C’est un immense honneur et plaisir d’être avec vous à Paris aujourd’hui. (It is my honour and great pleasure to be here with you in Paris today.)

The fight against exploitation in prostitution is often paved with darkness and resistance. 

For this reason, I want to express my special thanks to CAP International for organising this event. 

Marking the ten-year anniversary of the French abolitionist law, we are reminded of what can be accomplished when we set our minds to it. 

One month ago in New York, I was inspired by minister Bergé’s speech at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. 

Minister Bergé, you stated that history has seasons.

There are quiet seasons, when human rights seem solid and impose themselves as self-evident.

And then come the stormy seasons when lines are moving, terrorism and wars take hold, and demonstrations of force take precedence over respect for the law. 

In an age of storms such as the one we are facing today, you pointed to the temptation that arises to say that some principles can wait. 

That certain rights are not a priority. 

That some freedoms will be for later. 

This is how the setback begins.

Gender equality is a Swedish core value. That means equal access to power and resources - for women and men to have the same opportunities to shape society and their own lives.

It also means freedom from violence and exploitation. 

The work against exploitation in prostitution and trafficking for sexual purposes is an integral part of Sweden’s work to prevent and combat men’s violence against women. 

Sweden was the first country in the world to adopt a legislation that criminalises the purchase, but not the sale, of sexual services. This was back in 1999 - and at the time, it was controversial. 

The aim of the Swedish legislation was to reduce the demand for sexual services, equalise the power balance between men and women and lessen the exploitation of the individual. 

The legislation evolved from a comprehensive gender equality approach to address violence against women, as men make up the vast majority of buyers of sexual services and users of victims. 

It is also the case that most persons exploited in prostitution are women. The purpose of the legislation is also to encourage individuals exploited in prostitution to seek help to exit their situation. 

Originally, there were fears that the ban would drive prostitution underground, making it harder to reach out to persons in vulnerable situations. These fears have not been realised. 

According to a Swedish official evaluation, persons who have left prostitution were consistently positive to the ban and argued that it had strengthened their position. 

The evaluation also showed that the criminalisation has reduced the demand and deterred trafficking in human beings as well as the establishment of organised trafficking networks in Sweden. 

The police and the social services in Sweden report that the legislation  is an important tool for outreach to people exploited in prostitution. 

Criminalisation has also proven to have a normative effect on society as a whole. In Sweden, the support for the ban on the purchase of sexual services is now substantial and widespread, including amongst survivor-led organisations.

Decriminalisation frameworks, on the contrary, have proven not only to multiply and increase prostitution, but also to normalise exploitation. 

Of course, Sweden is no longer alone in its approach to prostitution. We have a shared view with France, and other countries are following. 

As of 2019, Sweden and France have a joint strategy to combat human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe and globally.

The strategy, which focuses on international cooperation in this area, aims to reduce the demand for girls and women in prostitution. 

Cooperation helps the exchange of best practices. 

Sweden has a lot to learn from the work being done here in France when it comes to, for instance, offering support for those wanting to leave prostitution. 

Our laws must also keep up as there are no lines between our physical and digital lives.

Violence and crime today occur largely with the help of information and communication technology. 

Sexual exploitation is no exception. We all know how easily accessible escort sites or advertisements for sexual services are on the internet. 

A person who performs sexual acts and interacts with their audience via for example cam shows may experience just as great vulnerability as in sexual acts that involve physical contact.

Therefore, the purchase of sexual acts carried out remotely has been criminalised in Sweden. 

Faced with the growing backlash against gender equality at the global level, we must all intensify our efforts to make further progress and to defend the gains we have made.

Minister Bergé, in New York you said that in the age of storms, every nation is faced with the question what they refuse to give up.  

For France, the answer was equality - because it is not a comfort of quiet times - but a compass that guides in all weathers. 

Sweden is proud to stand together with France. 

Like lighthouses in the storm provide guidance for those navigating the waves, we can shine a path of hope for our societies. 

Together, let us harness the winds to create a new momentum. 

Thank you.