A major European conference on prostitution begins today in Dublin. Disease prevention and health promotion will be discussed at the conference, sponsored by the Eastern Health Board, writes Alison O'Connor. Delegates from 15 European countries who are working with prostitutes will attend, according to Ms Mary O'Neill, acting co-ordinator of the EHB's Women's Health Project, which "promotes the health and well-being of women in prostitution" in Dublin.
The Irish perspective will be given at the conference by Dr Paula McDonnell, who is involved with the project, Sister Ruhama Farrell, and Mr Mick Quinlan, of the Gay Men's Health Project.
Ms O'Neill said it was difficult to estimate the number of prostitutes in Dublin but the service had contact with around 300 women through its outreach programme and drop-in service.
