Paju-si, a Happy Path for Women and Citizens 'Walking the Travel Path'

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 4th that on the 3rd, about 40 people including Paju Parent Police, the Paju Council for the Movement for a Better Life, the anti-prostitution civic group ‘Clearing’, the Paju Women's Association Council, and parents participated in the ‘Walking the Travel Path (a path where women and citizens are happy)’ activity around Yeonpung-ri Cultural Theater and the prostitution district.

Paju City has been conducting the 'Travel Path (A Path Where Women and Citizens Are Happy)' walking activity around Yeonpung-ri Cultural Theater and the red-light district area since the 3rd. Photo by Paju City

‘Walking the Travel Path’ is an educational program that involves walking through the prostitution district along with education on eradicating prostitution and raising awareness. It is held every Tuesday to build public consensus on closing the prostitution district and to promote a culture of gender equality.

Through the education, participants became aware of the seriousness of the safety issues for residents and the human rights violations caused by prostitution. By participating in the on-site education walking through the district, they empathized with the necessity of closing the still active prostitution district.

One citizen who participated in the activity said, “I was surprised that the prostitution district still remains,” and added, “I hope many citizens regard this not as someone else’s problem but as an issue concerning ourselves and the future of our growing children, and take an interest in closing the prostitution district.”

Meanwhile, Paju City plans to further strengthen policies for closing the prostitution district, and is conducting research to create women-friendly spaces and revitalize the local economy after the district’s closure.