A former sex worker turned women's rights activist who successfully campaigned to decriminalise prostitution in New Zealand was honoured by Britain's Queen Elizabeth on Monday.

Catherine Healy, 62, who founded the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective and helped to draft a law passed in 2003 that legitimised brothels and gave employment rights to sex workers, was awarded the title of dame in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Women's rights campaigners who support decriminalisation or legalisation of sex work hope Healy's honour will help tackle stigma and encourage sex workers who are victims of violence to report crimes to the police without fear of retribution.

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