Framing abolitionism as an anti-neoliberal struggle: the case of France

Overview & Synopsis

I will examine how the contemporary French abolitionist movement mobilises anti-neoliberalism frames in order to define the alleged growth in prostitution as related to globalisation processes and denounce it as a commodification of women’s bodies. This is mainly due to the fact that old catholic abolitionist organisations have recently privileged alliances with left-wing feminist groups and with anti-globalisation movements (such as Attac). However, this anti-neoliberalism is limited and selective, as it never integrates its effects on work markets, on zero-tolerance ideology or on welfare, urban and migration policies. It also tends to assimilate sexual liberalisation and economic liberalism in a global denunciation.