The Editor, Madam:

We refer to the article entitled, 'Are sex workers ready for ICC World Cup '07?' written by Noel Thompson, in The Gleaner - Hospitality Jamaica, of September 6.

It may be the case that our country is economically challenged and that the tourism industry is one of the main contributors to the vibrancy of the economy. However, we are appalled that commercial sex work is being promoted as a means of improving the economic viability of the women in our society. What is commercial sex work? Does it include prostitution and is prostitution legal in our country?

As concerned women and men participating in the class Women, Religion and Liberation at the United Theological College of the West Indies, (UTCWI), we are apprehensive about commercial sex work as it pertains to our society.

In our opinion, commercial sex work leads to the degradation of human sexuality by reducing it to a commodity that can be exchanged for money. Commercial sex work in all its diverse forms put family life at risk. Commercial sex work threatens the moral principles and Christian values on which our society is founded and to which our National Anthem and National Pledge bear witness. Commercial sex work puts an undue burden on the already ailing health care sector.

Are we as Jamaicans offering the bodies or our females as part of the ICC World Cup hospitality package? Must we guarantee a vibrant economy by means of the sexual exploitation of our women and men?

Our ancestors were offered as products of economic gain and were vehemently opposed to this oppression. Are we, their descendants, prepared to perpetuate the offering of the bodies of our women and men for sexual entertainment?

We call on every well-thinking Jamaican not to allow persons with scant regard for morality to subject our mothers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters to being objects of sexual entertainment.

We are, etc.,

Members of the Women,

Religion, and Liberation class,

United Theological College of the West Indies

Editor's Note: Hospitality Jamaica stands by its articles on sex workers for Cricket World Cup 2007. We feel that all sex workers should be made aware of the dangers involved in sexual activities during the event and the sexually transmitted diseases that all nations are now challenged with. At no time were we promoting the call for additional business for sex workers. As we continue to encourage public awareness, especially to unsuspecting 16-21 year olds who will meet a charming fan during the games and become infatuated within days, we thank the United Theological College of the West Indies for its response.