Inside the Americas – Sex Workers in Quito Fight for Formal Recognition
In-depth reports and analysis from our extensive network of correspondents throughout the region on the most important developments in Latin America. Today we meet Lourdes Torres, who has been a sex worker in Quito, Ecuador, for 30 years. She is a founder of the Pro-Defense Association of women who are exploited in the labor market and exposed to sexual violence on the streets and abuse at the hands of the police. The organization works to assure increased rights for sex workers, and some strides have been made. There is now less criminalization for simply being on the streets and more possibilities of achieving better comprehensive health care, including testing for sexually transmitted diseases and psychological treatment. Sex workers in Quito are now fighting for their work to be formally recognized so that they can work autonomously and be incorporated in the social security system. teleSUR
